pea·nut (p??n?t?)n.1. A prostrate southern Brazilian plant (Arachis hypogaea) widely cultivated in tropical and warm temperate regions, having yellow flowers on stalks that bend over so that the seed pods ripen underground.2. The edible, nutlike, oily seed of this plant, used for food and as a source of oil. Also called regionally goober, goober pea.3. A peanut-shaped piece of polystyrene, used in cushioning items during shipment.4. Slang a. A small child. Often used as a term of affection.b. A person who is regarded as insignificant.5. peanuts Informal A very small amount of money; a trifling sum.American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.peanut (?pi??n?t) n (Plants) a. a leguminous plant, Arachis hypogaea, of tropical America: widely cultivated for its edible seeds. The seed pods are forced underground where they ripen. See also hog peanutb. Also called: goober, goober pea, groundnut (Brit) or monkey nut (Brit)the edible nutlike seed of this plant, used for food and as a source of oilCollins English Dictionary ? Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014pea?nut (?pi?n?t, -n?t) n. 1. the pod or the enclosed edible seed of a plant, Arachis hypogaea, of the legume family: the pod is forced underground in growing, where it ripens. 2. the plant itself. 3. any small or insignificant person or thing. 4. a small, peanut-shaped piece of polystyrene used in bulk to protect esp. material being shipped. 5. peanuts, Informal. a very small amount of money. [1790?1800] Random House Kernerman Webster’s College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.peanut – Takes its name from its resemblance to peas in a pod and has these synonyms: pinda, goober, groundnut, ground pea, earthnut, and monkey nut; “peanut” appeared in the early 19th century. It is not a nut but a legume (pea).See also related terms for pea.Farlex Trivia Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.