cowpea: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Technical (Agriculture, Botany, Culinary)
Quick answer
What does “cowpea” mean?
A leguminous plant, Vigna unguiculata, widely cultivated in warm regions for its edible seeds and pods, also known as black-eyed pea.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A leguminous plant, Vigna unguiculata, widely cultivated in warm regions for its edible seeds and pods, also known as black-eyed pea.
The edible seed or pod of this plant, used as a staple food and forage crop; can refer to the entire agricultural product.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is equally understood in both varieties, but the specific culinary product is far more common and culturally significant in American (especially Southern US) cuisine.
Connotations
In the UK, it connotes exotic or foreign food, botany, or agricultural science. In the US, especially the South, it has strong culinary and cultural connotations (e.g., soul food, New Year's tradition).
Frequency
Higher frequency in American English due to culinary prominence. In British English, it's a lower-frequency technical term.
Grammar
How to Use “cowpea” in a Sentence
The farmer grows [cowpeas].This soil is suitable for [cowpea cultivation].The dish is made from [cowpeas].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cowpea” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The research programme aims to cowpea the marginal lands. (Non-standard, technical jargon)
American English
- Farmers in the region began to cowpea their rotation system. (Non-standard, technical jargon)
adjective
British English
- The cowpea yield was satisfactory this season.
American English
- We need a cowpea specialist for this project.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in agricultural commodity trading, seed industry reports, and food supply chain discussions.
Academic
Used in botany, agronomy, agricultural science, and nutritional studies papers.
Everyday
Used in cooking, gardening, and discussions about food, primarily in regions where it is a dietary staple.
Technical
Used in plant breeding, crop pathology, soil science, and agricultural extension literature.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cowpea”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cowpea”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cowpea”
- Misspelling as 'cow-pea' (hyphenated) is common but the solid form 'cowpea' is standard.
- Using as a countable noun in singular for the crop ('a cowpea field' is correct, 'a field of cowpea' is less common).
- Confusing with other beans like kidney beans or pinto beans.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the black-eyed pea is a specific cultivar and the most common type of cowpea. 'Cowpea' is the broader category.
Yes, the young leaves, shoots, and green pods (as a vegetable) are also edible and nutritious, not just the dried seeds.
The name likely originates from its historical use as a fodder crop for cattle, in addition to being a food source for humans.
Cowpeas are extensively cultivated in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Southern United States due to their heat and drought tolerance.
A leguminous plant, Vigna unguiculata, widely cultivated in warm regions for its edible seeds and pods, also known as black-eyed pea.
Cowpea is usually formal, technical (agriculture, botany, culinary) in register.
Cowpea: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkaʊ.piː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkaʊˌpiː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No specific idioms. The phrase 'eat your black-eyed peas for good luck' is a Southern US cultural saying related to the cowpea.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A COW could PEck at these PEAs growing in the field. It's a pea for livestock and people.
Conceptual Metaphor
RESILIENCE / SUSTENANCE (e.g., 'The cowpea is a resilient crop for arid regions.')
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary scientific genus name for the cowpea?