pod

Everyday

1. A long case that holds the seeds of plants such as peas and beans. tree →
2. A group of whales, dolphins or seals swimming together. tree →
3. A small separate part or capsule, such as an escape pod or a coffee pod. tree →
4. In an old Russian log house, a pod is the raised space under the floor where someone could sleep. tree →

In the lessons

In science, plants make seeds in pods; pea pods split open when ripe. Dolphins and orcas live in family groups called pods. In stories, space ships have escape pods. Phrases: pea pod, seed pod, a pod of dolphins, escape pod, like two peas in a pod.

Examples

• I opened the pod and found five peas. tree →
• A pod of dolphins swam beside the boat. tree →
• The seed pods burst open in the sun. tree →
• The astronaut climbed into the escape pod. tree →
• The twins are like two peas in a pod. tree →
• Orcas hunt together in pods. tree →
• Nothing was left of either of them except their bones, which rattled in the battered golden armour like dry peas in a pod. tree →

Note

Countable: a pod, pods. "Like two peas in a pod" means very alike. In maths, pod problems often multiply: 6 pods with 5 peas each make 30 peas.