peanut Definition

1. A low-growing annual plant of the pulse family, native to tropical America, widely cultivated for its edible seeds which are produced under the ground in pods.
2. The protein-rich seed of this plant, which can be eaten raw or roasted, ground to make peanut butter, or used as a source of oil for cooking oil, margarine, soap, etc. Also called groundnut, monkey nut.
3a. colloq
Something small, trivial or unimportant;
Form: peanuts
3b. colloq
A small or paltry amount of money.
Example: He works for peanuts
Thesaurus: a pittance, pennies, next to nothing, chickenfeed (slang).
Form: peanuts