Pod

Pod is a term with several meanings across botany, technology, agriculture, and zoology. In botany, a pod refers to the fruit (a legume) of many plants in the Fabaceae family. It is typically a dry fruit that splits open along two seams to release the seeds inside (dehiscent). Pods vary in size, shape, and color; common examples include peas, beans, lentils, and soybeans. The seeds are often edible, either within the pod or after removal.

In culinary use, some pods are eaten as vegetables (green beans, snow peas), while others are valued for flavoring (vanilla pods) or for their seeds. Edibility depends on species and preparation.

In technology and media, the term appears in several ways. A podcast is a digital audio program distributed online; the term blends “pod” with “broadcast” and is often released as episodes. The word pod also appears in product names and packaging, such as coffee pods used in single-serve machines, or portable devices such as the iPod. In these cases, pod denotes a self-contained unit or module.

In zoology, a pod is a social group of marine mammals such as whales and dolphins, or other animals that live in small social groups.

Overall, pod is a versatile word used to describe a fruit type, a modular container, media formats, and animal social groups, among other meanings.