bean

1 of 2

noun

1
a
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

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
The admission came after mom Richards spilled the beans on camera amid a lunch with her ex and their younger daughter Lola, 19. Jay Stahl, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2025 Read our guide to visiting or returning to the U.S. RECOMMENDATIONS Image Cook: No-fuss garlicky Alfredo beans are easy to whip together and great on toast. Natasha Frost, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2025
Verb
Multiple Royals expressed concern for India after he was beaned in Sunday’s series finale. Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2025 Her trance is rudely broken when Elliott beans the suffering animal with a tire iron, putting it out of its misery—maybe. Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 28 Mar. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bean.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bean. Accessed 12 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

bean

noun
ˈbēn
1
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

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