bean

1 of 2

noun

ˈbēn How to pronounce bean (audio)
Synonyms of beannext
1
a
: fava bean
b
: the seed of any of various erect or climbing plants (as of the genera Phaseolus and Vigna) of the legume family other than the fava bean
c
: a plant bearing beans
d
: an immature bean pod used as a vegetable
2
a
: a valueless item
b
beans plural : the least amount
didn't know beans about it
3
: any of various seeds or fruits that resemble beans or bean pods
coffee beans
also : a plant producing these
4
a
beans plural : exuberance
—used in the phrase full of beans
b
beans plural : nonsense, bunkum
—used in the phrase full of beans
5
: head, brain
6
: a protuberance on the upper mandible of waterfowl see duck illustration

bean

2 of 2

verb

beaned; beaning; beans

transitive verb

: to strike (a person) on the head with an object

Synonyms

Noun

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

Examples of bean in a Sentence

Noun We ate rice and beans for dinner. We're growing tomatoes and beans in our garden this year.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Evans speaks to police and sits on a wall, with his hands still raised, before he is shot with a bean bag round and falls to the ground. —Christian Martinez, The Mercury News, 14 Nov. 2024 Also high in protein, beans can be used not only in soups and stews but in wraps, veg and grain bowls, enchiladas, and casseroles. —Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
Many get beaned by water balloon-wielding children. —Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 24 July 2024 Pete Alonso hit a one-out double and Muñoz (1-5) loaded the bases by beaning Mark Vientos and walking DJ Stewart. —Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 20 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for bean 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English bene, from Old English bēan; akin to Old High German bōna bean

Verb

verbal derivative of bean entry 1 in sense "head"

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1909, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bean was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing bean

Dictionary Entries Near bean

beamy

bean

bean anthracnose

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Bean.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bean. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

bean

noun
ˈbēn
1
a
: broad bean
b
: the seed or pod of various erect or climbing plants of the legume family
c
: a plant bearing beans
2
: a seed or fruit like a bean
coffee beans

More from Merriam-Webster on bean

Nglish: Translation of bean for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of bean for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bean

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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