1
: a bushy or vining tropical American bean (Phaseolus lunatus synonym Phaseolus limensis) that is widely cultivated for its flat edible starchy seed which is usually pale green when immature and whitish or beige when mature
2
: the seed of a lima bean eaten usually cooked as a vegetable see butter bean, sieva bean
Examples of lima bean in a Sentence
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There are a few variations on this recipe but this tasty one includes pork, chicken, and lima beans.
—
Emma Phelps, Southern Living, 26 Oct. 2024
Yes, butter beans and lima beans are the same thing.
—Darcy Lenz, Southern Living, 7 Oct. 2024
But chambers were otherwise as informal as a church hall, and every surface was stacked with the detritus of years gone by – lima bean and radish seeds on an antique metal desk, a well head, reading glasses, garage door openers.
—Lauren Villagran, USA TODAY, 15 Sep. 2024
While cooked lima beans are safe to eat, raw lima beans contain toxic compounds called cyanogenic glycosides, which break down into hydrogen cyanide, a compound that’s toxic to humans.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 2 Sep. 2024
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Emma Phelps, Southern Living, 26 Oct. 2024
Yes, butter beans and lima beans are the same thing.
—Darcy Lenz, Southern Living, 7 Oct. 2024
But chambers were otherwise as informal as a church hall, and every surface was stacked with the detritus of years gone by – lima bean and radish seeds on an antique metal desk, a well head, reading glasses, garage door openers.
—Lauren Villagran, USA TODAY, 15 Sep. 2024
While cooked lima beans are safe to eat, raw lima beans contain toxic compounds called cyanogenic glycosides, which break down into hydrogen cyanide, a compound that’s toxic to humans.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 2 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for lima bean
Dictionary Entries Near lima bean
Cite this Entry
“Lima bean.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lima%20bean. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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lima bean
noun
li·ma bean
ˌlī-mə- 
: a tropical American bean plant widely grown for its flat edible usually pale green or whitish seeds
also
: the seed of a lima bean
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