WordGarden.iogroundnut
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /ɡrˈaʊndnʌt/
US
- /ˈɡraʊndˌnət/
Meanings
Noun
a peanut used as food
the peanut plant grown as a crop
Beyond the definition
A groundnut, more commonly known as a peanut, is not actually a true nut. It is a legume, like beans and peas, and it grows in an unusual way. The plant flowers above the ground, but after pollination, the stem bends and pushes the developing pods into the soil, where they mature.
Groundnuts are an important food in many parts of the world. People eat them roasted or boiled, and they are also made into peanut butter, oil, and many other foods. They are used for animal feed too. The word "groundnut" is still common in some regions, especially in Africa and India, and it fits the way the plant grows.
The word "groundnut" is a very fitting name for this unusual plant. In many places, especially in parts of Africa and India, this is the common word for what many English speakers also call a peanut. The name makes sense because, unlike true nuts that often grow on trees, this plant forms its pods below the surface of the earth.
Its growth process is quite special. The plant first produces small yellow flowers above ground. After pollination, a part called the peg bends downward and pushes the developing pods into the soil. It is there, underground, that the pods mature.
Groundnuts are very useful as food. They contain protein and fats, and they are an important source of nutrition for many people. They can be eaten roasted as a snack, boiled, or turned into peanut butter, oil, flour, and many cooked dishes. They are also used as animal feed and in some industrial products.
The term "groundnut" does more than describe where the plant grows. It also reflects the word used in many regions where this crop has long been important in daily life and food traditions. So when you hear "groundnut," think of a legume with an unusual way of growing and a strong place in kitchens around the world.
Examples
- 1
Food stall
We bought a bag of roasted groundnuts from a stall by the bus station.
- Usagegroundnut
peanut, especially in African and South Asian English
- 2
Cooking
She stirred some groundnut paste into the soup to make it richer.
- 3
Farming
Many farmers in the area grow groundnut as a cash crop.
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- groundnutnoun