field pea: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (C1-C2)Agricultural, Culinary (Regional), Historical
Quick answer
What does “field pea” mean?
A type of pea (Pisum sativum var. arvense) grown as a crop, often for animal feed or for drying, as opposed to garden peas eaten fresh.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of pea (Pisum sativum var. arvense) grown as a crop, often for animal feed or for drying, as opposed to garden peas eaten fresh.
A term also used for specific varieties of peas cultivated on a large scale, which can include cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata) in some contexts, particularly in the southern US.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, it is a purely agricultural/botanical term for a crop. In the US (especially the South), it has a specific culinary meaning, often referring to types of cowpeas used in traditional dishes.
Connotations
UK: Neutral, technical. US South: Nostalgic, traditional, hearty, rustic cuisine.
Frequency
More frequent in US Southern regional English than in general British English.
Grammar
How to Use “field pea” in a Sentence
[subject] grows field peas for [purpose][subject] is a variety of field peaVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “field pea” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The farmer decided to field-pea that acreage last season. (Rare/Non-standard)
American English
- (No standard verb use)
adverb
British English
- (No adverbial use)
American English
- (No adverbial use)
adjective
British English
- (Used attributively: 'field pea crop', 'field pea variety')
American English
- (Used attributively: 'field pea dish', 'field pea harvest')
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in agricultural commodities trading or farming supply discussions.
Academic
Used in botany, agricultural science, and historical studies of farming.
Everyday
Rare in general conversation except in specific regional (US South) food contexts.
Technical
Precise botanical classification and agronomic details of Pisum sativum arvense.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “field pea”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “field pea”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “field pea”
- Using 'field pea' to refer to any fresh green pea.
- Confusing 'field pea' with 'chickpea' or 'green lentil'.
- Assuming it's a standard term in all English-speaking regions.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Field peas (Pisum sativum var. arvense) are a different variety, grown as a dry crop for animal feed or human consumption as a dried pulse. Garden peas (Pisum sativum var. sativum) are eaten fresh or frozen.
Yes, but typically they are dried and require soaking and cooking. In the US South, specific types like black-eyed peas (a cowpea, not a true pea) are a culinary staple.
Because it is cultivated in large open fields as an agricultural crop, unlike garden peas which are often grown in smaller, managed plots.
Botanically, no. True field peas are a variety of Pisum sativum. Cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata) are a different genus. However, in Southern US culinary language, 'field peas' often colloquially includes cowpeas like black-eyed peas.
A type of pea (Pisum sativum var. arvense) grown as a crop, often for animal feed or for drying, as opposed to garden peas eaten fresh.
Field pea is usually agricultural, culinary (regional), historical in register.
Field pea: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfiːld piː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfiːld piː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(None commonly associated with the specific term 'field pea')”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a FIELD where PEAS are grown, not a garden. It's a crop for the field.
Conceptual Metaphor
FIELD PEA IS A RUSTIC STAPLE (contrasted with the refined 'garden pea').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'field pea' most likely to be used in everyday American English?