1. a plant in the pea family that produces seeds in pods
Usage: botanical
2. the edible seed or pod of such a plant, used as food

Examples

• Beans and peas are common legumes grown in home gardens.
• Legumes help improve soil quality by fixing nitrogen.
• The farmer rotated his crops, planting legumes after corn.
• Chickpeas are a protein-rich legume popular in Mediterranean cuisine.
• Many vegetarians rely on legumes as their primary protein source.
• The grocery store’s bulk section had various dried legumes.
• Soybeans are one of the most economically important legumes worldwide.