bean

¹ American  

[been] / bin /

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.

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verb (used with object)

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

interjection

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

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.

Bean ² American  

[been] / bin /

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.”

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bean British  

/ 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

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verb

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

bean More Idioms  

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

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Other Word Forms

• beanlike adjective

Etymology

Origin of bean

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-

Example Sentences

“For a while, it was just beans and rice.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Despite rising coffee bean prices in recent years, the cost pressure is expected to ease in 2026 as supply improves.

From Barron's

We eat canned cranberry beans and pickled vegetables Mom brought from the Ranch, and only stop to use the bathroom.

From Literature

"My interest in beans and how much beans people are eating has grown."

From BBC

That structure is especially visible in central and northern Italy, where dishes often revolve around meat broths, polenta, beans, chestnuts, and long-cooked cuts meant to feed families over several days.

From Salon

Related Words

• berry
• grain
• kernel