Definition

Noun 1. A type of legume plant: A bushy, annual plant (Vigna radiata, formerly Phaseolus aureus) widely cultivated in warm regions for animal forage and, especially, for its small, edible green seeds. It is the primary source of bean sprouts used in East and Southeast Asian cuisine.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The farmer planted a field of golden gram to harvest for both seeds and fodder.
  • Bean sprouts, essential for stir-fries and salads, typically come from the golden gram.
  • Compared to other beans, the golden gram has a relatively short growing season.

Advanced Usage

• In botanical/agricultural contexts: The term is used to specify the plant species in scientific or farming discussions, distinguishing it from other types of grams or beans like black gram or chickpeas.
  • The study compared the drought resistance of golden gram to that of black gram.

Variants and Related Words

• Mung bean: This is the most common modern name for the seeds and the plant itself. "Golden gram" is an older or more regional term.
• Green gram: Another synonym for mung bean/golden gram.
• Mung bean sprout: The edible sprout produced from the germinated golden gram seed.

Synonyms

• Mung bean
• Green gram
• (scientific name)

Notes on Meaning

• The term "golden gram" specifically refers to the plant species that produces mung beans. In everyday modern English, the seeds are almost exclusively called "mung beans." The word "gram" in this context is derived from the Portuguese "grão" (grain/seed) and is used in the names of several Indian pulses (e.g., black gram, chickpea).

Noun

1. erect bushy annual widely cultivated in warm regions of India and Indonesia and United States for forage and especially its edible seeds; chief source of bean sprouts used in Chinese cookery; sometimes placed in genus Phaseolus