green bean

American  

noun

1. the immature green pod of the kidney bean, eaten as a vegetable.

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green bean British  

noun

1. any bean plant, such as the French bean, having narrow green edible pods when unripe

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Etymology

Origin of green bean

An Americanism dating back to 1940–45

Example Sentences

A tiny dot appears inside the letter b of the green bean recipe.

From Literature

I put frozen green beans on a plate and tell Boo they are a new kind of Popsicle.

From Literature

To attract increasingly discerning consumers, Kroger has offered a precooked holiday meal for eight of turkey or ham, stuffing, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, cranberry and gravy for about $11 a person.

From Los Angeles Times

Rosario, the foreman’s wife, had woken up at 4:30 a.m., as she always does, to make the couple a lunch of homemade tortillas, green beans and refried beans.

From Los Angeles Times

If this is the last dish you’re trying to make and you’re too tired to even lift your fork, the easiest thing you can make is boiled green beans with butter and lemon.

From Salon