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. Informal.,  beans, 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. slang,  excellent; impressive

8. slang,  to be without money

   I haven't got a bean

9. informal

   1. full of energy and vitality

   2. mistaken; erroneous

10. informal,  to disclose something confidential

verb

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

Other Word Forms

• beanlike 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,

   1. energetic; vigorously active; vital.

      He is still full of beans at 95.

   2. stupid; erroneous; misinformed.

2. spill the beans, 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.

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

Example Sentences

“Even though we struggled, it wasn’t uncommon to see her share a bag of rice, beans, or pick up a coffee for a friend.”

From Los Angeles Times

He jogged up the mountain and back, full of beans, showing off but also sharing his enthusiasm and demonstrating a skill that gave confidence that this 20-something conductor had the chops.

From Los Angeles Times

TJ’s Maple Flavored Espresso Black Tea Blend is made with “a blend of select black & herbal tea leaves, natural maple flavor, and ground espresso beans,” according to TJ’s.

From Salon

A couple of years later during the pandemic, it was the first hard time where I didn’t feel like I struggled and it was because of the rice and beans theory.

From Los Angeles Times

Fresh basil and orange zest set this black bean salad apart from its cumin-chili-lime Mexican heritage.

From Salon

Related Words

• berry 
• grain 
• kernel