lima bean

[lahy-muh]

noun

1. a bean, Phaseolus limensis, having a broad, flat, edible seed.

2. the seed, used for food.

lima bean

/ ˈliː-, ˈlaɪmə /

noun

1. any of several varieties of the bean plant, Phaseolus lunatus (or P. limensis ), native to tropical America but cultivated in the US for its flat pods containing pale green edible seeds

2. the seed of such a plant

Word History and Origins

Origin of lima bean¹

1810–20; named after Lima, Peru

Word History and Origins

Origin of lima bean¹

C19: named after _Lima