Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

beanstalk

American  
[been-stawk] / ˈbinˌstɔk /

noun

  • beanstalks
    plural
  1. the stem of a bean plant.


beanstalk British  
/ ˈbiːnˌstɔːk /

noun

  1. the stem of a bean plant

"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 Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms


Etymology

Origin of beanstalk

First recorded in 1790–1800; bean + stalk 1


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

The beans grow a massive beanstalk up into the clouds, and the pair go on an exciting, slapstick-filled mission.

From Washington Times ● Aug. 2, 2022

Healthy fodder for cows and goats, nitrate fixer for the soil, a grape-scented shade for the veranda—what wasn’t to like about the South’s own jack in the beanstalk?

From Slate ● Aug. 28, 2021

Over the summer, he filmed a “Jack and the Beanstalk” panto in his backyard, with a giant sycamore tree acting as the beanstalk.

From New York Times ● Dec. 15, 2020

The beanstalk tattoo on her arm signifies one can do a lot with a little.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 29, 2019

Slowly he directed one hand toward the cup and, just as he was about to spread his fingers, they began to grow in higgledy-piggledy fashion like Jack’s beanstalk all over the tray and the bed.

From "Sula" by Toni Morrison

Set against a backdrop of vines and beanstalks, a model even took to the runway holding a book of fairy tales once owned by Coco Chanel.

From BBC ● Jul. 9, 2026

The Rodong report described flooded fields, damaged rice and toppled corn and beanstalks in South Hwanghae, as well as ruined crops in nearby North Hwanghae province.

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 27, 2020

Glenn Goldberg’s new paintings call to mind all sorts of things, including dogs and rubber duckies, as well as beanstalks and rainbows, stars and gingerbread men.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2016

No beanstalks peek out from the camp’s sun-baked soil, and I ask where they grow their food.

From The Guardian ● May 12, 2016

If I see a good opportunity to 35 bother Bean and her devoted beanstalks, I shall not let it pass me by.

From Marjorie Dean College Junior by Pauline Lester

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

Get a word


Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training