bean

¹

[ been ]

noun

1. the edible nutritious seed of various plants of the legume family, especially of the genus Phaseolus.
2. a plant producing such seeds.
3. the pod of such a plant, especially when immature and eaten as a vegetable.
4. any of various other beanlike seeds or plants, as the coffee bean.
5. Slang.
   1. a person's head.
   2. a coin or a bank note considered as a coin:

      I can't pay for the ticket, I don't have a bean in my jeans.

6. British Informal. a minimum amount of money:

   They've been disinherited and now haven't a bean.

7. beans, Informal. the slightest amount:

   He doesn't know beans about navigation.

verb (used with object)

1. Slang. to hit on the head, especially with a baseball.

interjection

1. beans, (used to express disbelief, annoyance, etc.)

Bean

²

[ been ]

noun

1. Alan L(aVern), 1932–2018, U.S. astronaut.
2. Roy Judge, 1825?–1903, U.S. frontiersman and justice of the peace: called himself “the law west of the Pecos.”

bean

/ biːn /

noun

1. any of various leguminous plants of the widely cultivated genus Phaseolus producing edible seeds in pods See French bean lima bean scarlet runner string bean
2. any of several other leguminous plants that bear edible pods or seeds, such as the broad bean and soya bean
3. any of various other plants whose seeds are produced in pods or podlike fruits
4. the seed or pod of any of these plants
5. any of various beanlike seeds, such as coffee
6. slang.
   another word for head
7. cool beans slang.
   excellent; impressive
8. not have a bean slang.
   to be without money

   I haven't got a bean

9. full of beans informal.
   1. full of energy and vitality
   2. mistaken; erroneous
10. spill the beans informal.
    to disclose something confidential

verb

1. slang.
   tr to hit (a person) on the head

Other Words From

• beanlike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of bean¹

before 950; Middle English bene, Old English bēan; cognate with Old Norse baun, Old Frisian bāne, Dutch boon, Old Saxon, Old High German bona ( German Bohne ), probably < Germanic *babnō, cognate with Russian bob, Latin faba < European Indo-European *bhabh-

Word History and Origins

Origin of bean¹

Old English bēan ; related to Old Norse baun , Old Frisian bāne , Old High German bōna bean

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. full of beans, Informal.
   1. energetic; vigorously active; vital:

      He is still full of beans at 95.

   2. stupid; erroneous; misinformed.
2. spill the beans, Informal. to disclose a secret, either accidentally or imprudently, thereby ruining a surprise or plan:

   He spilled the beans, and she knew all about the party in advance.

More idioms and phrases containing bean

see full of beans ; not have a bean ; not know beans ; not worth a dime (bean) ; spill the beans ; tough break (beans) .

Example Sentences

You may wind up with three kinds of dressing and more green bean casserole than any group of eight could ever consume, but making room for other people’s family traditions is an act of love.

From Salon

The findings show that unprocessed plant-based foods, such as soybeans, peas and beans are best suited for replacing meat and dairy.

From Salon

The beans, roasted in various blends, are sourced from the famed coffee estates of Karnataka.

From BBC

Some companies will use other proteins, such as wheat gluten, legumes – lentils, chickpeas, peas, beans – and proteins from seed oils.

From Salon

Additionally, it can be found in beans, artichokes, and sweet potatoes, and in fermented foods such as sourdough bread, as well as miso, kimchi, and sauerkraut.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• berry
• grain
• kernel