split pea: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Informal, culinary
Quick answer
What does “split pea” mean?
A dried pea that has been split in half after the skin is removed, used primarily in cooking, especially for soup.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A dried pea that has been split in half after the skin is removed, used primarily in cooking, especially for soup.
The pea itself as a food ingredient, and by extension, the thick soup made from it (split pea soup).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The ingredient and dish are known in both cultures, though 'pea soup' or 'pea and ham soup' might be more common generic terms in the UK than specifically 'split pea soup'.
Connotations
Connotes hearty, simple, often rustic or traditional home cooking. In the US, strongly associated with classic American diner fare or comfort food.
Frequency
Comparable frequency, though the specific phrase 'split pea' may appear slightly more often in American cookbooks and grocery aisles.
Grammar
How to Use “split pea” in a Sentence
[make/cook/prepare] + split pea soup[soak/rinse] + split peas[add/stir in] + split peasVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “split pea” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- This split pea soup recipe is a family favourite.
- She bought a tin of split pea and ham soup.
American English
- I'm craving a hearty split pea soup.
- The split pea texture should be smooth, not grainy.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in food import/export, agricultural commodities, or grocery retail.
Academic
Rare, possibly in nutritional studies, agricultural botany, or food history.
Everyday
Common in contexts of home cooking, recipe discussions, and grocery shopping.
Technical
Used in culinary arts, food science, and product labeling.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “split pea”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “split pea”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “split pea”
- Using 'splitted pea' (incorrect past participle).
- Treating it as always plural (It's uncountable: 'I need some split pea', not 'I need some split peas' for the ingredient mass, though 'peas' is also standard).
- Confusing with 'spring pea' or 'snap pea' (which are fresh vegetables).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are different legumes. Split peas come from specific varieties of field peas, while lentils are their own species. They have similar cooking uses but different shapes, sizes, and slightly different flavours.
It is recommended to rinse them, but unlike whole dried peas or beans, they do not strictly require soaking because of their split nature, which reduces cooking time significantly. Soaking for 1-2 hours can shorten the cook time further.
The main difference is colour and a subtle flavour variation. Green split peas have a slightly sweeter, more vegetal flavour, while yellow split peas are milder and earthier. They can often be used interchangeably in recipes.
Yes, it is a closed compound noun (written without a hyphen). The first element 'split' describes the state of the second element 'pea'. It functions as a single lexical unit.
A dried pea that has been split in half after the skin is removed, used primarily in cooking, especially for soup.
Split pea is usually informal, culinary in register.
Split pea: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsplɪt ˈpiː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsplɪt ˈpiː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a pea that has a **split** personality: one half for making soup, the other half... also for making soup.
Conceptual Metaphor
N/A (Highly concrete noun)
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'split pea'?