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

Aldi’s box, at $40 for 10 people, also includes the makings for green bean casserole and a pumpkin pie with whipped topping.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 22, 2025

You may wind up with three kinds of dressing and more green bean casserole than any group of eight could ever consume, but making room for other people’s family traditions is an act of love.

From Salon • Dec. 5, 2024

I have this sweet potato, green bean and cashew curry in my book that’s like my go-to.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 23, 2024

It found that 31% of U.S. adults don’t care for cranberry sauce while 29% would skip the sweet potatoes and 28% would forgo the green bean casserole.

From Washington Times • Nov. 22, 2023

I fumbled it a little, and caught it before I had green bean juice all over my only suit.

From "The Boy in the Black Suit" by Jason Reynolds