chickpea: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral, culinary
Quick answer
What does “chickpea” mean?
A round, beige legume, high in protein, commonly used in cooking.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A round, beige legume, high in protein, commonly used in cooking.
The edible seed of the plant Cicer arietinum, also referring to the plant itself.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word 'chickpea' is standard in both. 'Garbanzo bean' is a common alternative in American English, especially in culinary contexts influenced by Spanish or Latin American cuisine.
Connotations
In British English, 'chickpea' is overwhelmingly standard. In American English, 'garbanzo bean' may sound slightly more specific or gourmet in some contexts, but both are neutral.
Frequency
'Chickpea' is more frequent in UK English. In US English, 'chickpea' and 'garbanzo bean' are both very common, with 'chickpea' perhaps gaining dominance in general use.
Grammar
How to Use “chickpea” in a Sentence
[verb] + chickpeas (e.g., drain, rinse, add, mash)chickpea + [noun] (e.g., chickpea salad, chickpea stew)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chickpea” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- To chickpea' is not a standard verb.
American English
- To chickpea' is not a standard verb.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- Chickpea-based dishes are popular.
- She used chickpea flour for the flatbread.
American English
- Chickpea pasta is a high-protein alternative.
- This is a chickpea-centric menu.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in agriculture, food import/export, and retail contexts (e.g., 'The price of chickpeas has risen due to drought.').
Academic
Used in nutritional science, agricultural botany, and culinary history (e.g., 'Chickpea cultivation dates back to the Neolithic period.').
Everyday
Common in recipes, shopping lists, and casual conversation about food (e.g., 'I'm making a chickpea stew for dinner.').
Technical
Used in botany (Cicer arietinum) and food science (e.g., 'The protein isolate from chickpeas...').
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chickpea”
- Misspelling as 'chick pea' (now standardly one word).
- Incorrect plural: 'chickpeas' not 'chickpeas's'.
- Confusing with other legumes like 'lentils' or 'beans'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is standardly written as one word: 'chickpea'. The hyphenated form 'chick-pea' is now rare.
There is no difference. 'Garbanzo bean' (from Spanish) and 'chickpea' (from English) refer to the same legume, Cicer arietinum.
No, canned chickpeas are pre-cooked and ready to eat. They should be drained and rinsed before use to remove the salty canning liquid and improve texture.
They are an excellent source of plant-based protein, fibre, vitamins, and minerals like iron and folate, while being low in fat.
A round, beige legume, high in protein, commonly used in cooking.
Chickpea is usually neutral, culinary in register.
Chickpea: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtʃɪkpiː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtʃɪkpiː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a baby chicken (chick) eating a pea. A 'chick-pea' is a pea-sized food good for you, not for chickens!
Conceptual Metaphor
N/A (Primarily a concrete noun)
Practice
Quiz
Which term is a common synonym for 'chickpea' in American English?