1. An erect or climbing bean or pea plant of the family Leguminosae
   "Soybeans are a widely cultivated legume";
   - leguminous plant
    
2. The seedpod of a leguminous plant (such as peas, beans or lentils)
   "The garden was full of ripening legumes ready for harvest"
    
3. The fruit or seed of any of various bean or pea plants consisting of a case that splits along both sides when ripe and having the seeds attach to one side of the case
   "The pea pods were legumes ready for harvesting"

Derived forms: legumes

Type of: climber, herb, herbaceous plant, pod, seedpod, veg [Brit, informal], vegetable, veggie [informal]

Part of: Fabaceae, family Fabaceae, family Leguminosae, legume family, Leguminosae, pea family

Encyclopedia: Legume