bean

[ been ]

/ bin /

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noun

the edible nutritious seed of various plants of the legume family, especially of the genus Phaseolus.

a plant producing such seeds.

the pod of such a plant, especially when immature and eaten as a vegetable.

any of various other beanlike seeds or plants, as the coffee bean.

Slang.

a person's head.
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.

British Informal. a minimum amount of money: They've been disinherited and now haven't a bean.

beans, Informal. the slightest amount: He doesn't know beans about navigation.

verb (used with object)

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

interjection

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

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms about bean

full of beans, Informal.

energetic; vigorously active; vital: He is still full of beans at 95.
stupid; erroneous; misinformed.

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.

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-

OTHER WORDS FROM bean

beanlike, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH bean

bean , been, Ben, bin

Other definitions for bean (2 of 2)

Bean

[ been ]

/ bin /

noun

Alan L(aVern), 1932–2018, U.S. astronaut.

Roy "Judge", 1825?–1903, U.S. frontiersman and justice of the peace: called himself “the law west of the Pecos.”

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use bean in a sentence

In a medium saucepan or Dutch oven over high heat, combine the beans with the 4 cups water and baking soda.
How to make dal makhani, the most luxurious and creamy dal of all|Joe Yonan|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
Because they’re similarly bite-size, it’s tempting to treat Brussels sprouts like green beans or baby carrots, but they’re nothing alike when it comes to taste.
A guide to Brussels sprouts: How to choose, store, season and cook the versatile vegetable|Daniela Galarza|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
This gravy with dried mushrooms and beans is full-flavored and totally vegetarian.
6 gravy recipes to pour over your mashed potatoes — and anything else this Thanksgiving|Kari Sonde, Becky Krystal|November 19, 2020|Washington Post
If green bean casserole has gotten the boot, throw those green beans in with your potatoes.
Mashed, roasted, crispy or creamy: Our best potato recipes for your holiday table|Kari Sonde|November 12, 2020|Washington Post

It’s then served with rice and beans on the side, of course.
Everything You Need to Know About Costa Rican Food|Nicholas Gill|November 11, 2020|Eater
The next time they met, in 1976, Ellis beaned him in the face.
‘No No,’ a Documentary on MLB Pitcher Dock Ellis, Who Pitched a No-Hitter While Tripping on Acid|Marlow Stern|February 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I seen the whole thing myself—it was right after that that I got beaned.
From Place to Place|Irvin S. Cobb
The field where the hickory and pecans are to go has the tree rows plowed, manured and soy beaned ready for planting.
Northern Nut Growers Association Report of the Proceedings at the Thirty-Eighth Annual Meeting|Northern Nut Growers Association
The player had been "beaned," and his fear of a recurrence was so strong that he became "plate shy."
A Practical Guide to Self-Hypnosis|Melvin Powers
I'll just bet you'd 'a' beaned me one with that as soon as not, eh, Miss Deane?
Find the Woman|Arthur Somers Roche
When he knocked on the door, I opened up and beaned him with the poker.
Dorothy Dixon and the Double Cousin|Dorothy Wayne

British Dictionary definitions for bean

bean

/ (biːn) /

noun

any of various leguminous plants of the widely cultivated genus Phaseolus producing edible seeds in podsSee French bean, lima bean, scarlet runner, string bean

any of several other leguminous plants that bear edible pods or seeds, such as the broad bean and soya bean

any of various other plants whose seeds are produced in pods or podlike fruits

the seed or pod of any of these plants

any of various beanlike seeds, such as coffee

US and Canadian slang another word for head

cool beans slang excellent; impressive

not have a bean slang to be without moneyI haven't got a bean

full of beans informal

full of energy and vitality
US mistaken; erroneous

spill the beans informal to disclose something confidential

verb

mainly US and Canadian slang (tr) to hit (a person) on the head

Word Origin for bean

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with bean

bean

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

bean

Idioms about bean

Origin of bean

OTHER WORDS FROM bean

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH bean

Other definitions for bean (2 of 2)

Words related to bean

How to use bean in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for bean

Word Origin for bean

Other Idioms and Phrases with bean