1. 1. A pod, such as that of a pea or bean, that splits into two valves with the seeds attached to one edge of the valves.
   2. Such a pod or seed used as food.
2. A plant of the pea family.

[French légume, from Latin legūmen, bean.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.