bean

1 of 2

noun

1
a
b
: the seed of any of various erect or climbing plants (as of the genera Phaseolus and Vigna) of the legume family other than the fava bean
c
: a plant bearing beans
d
: an immature bean pod used as a vegetable
2
a
: a valueless item
b
beans plural : the least amount
didn't know beans about it
3
: any of various seeds or fruits that resemble beans or bean pods
coffee beans
also : a plant producing these
4
a
beans plural : exuberance
used in the phrase full of beans
b
beans plural : nonsense, bunkum
used in the phrase full of beans
5
: head, brain
6
: a protuberance on the upper mandible of waterfowl see duck illustration

bean

2 of 2

verb

beaned; beaning; beans

transitive verb

: to strike (a person) on the head with an object

Examples of bean in a Sentence

Noun We ate rice and beans for dinner. We're growing tomatoes and beans in our garden this year.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Recipes reflect traditional or recommended methods of preparation, but they can be modified in just about every way, such as using decaffeinated beans or nondairy milk. Nick Mourtoupalas, Washington Post, 11 Mar. 2024 Horticulture is evident here and there around the camp, with squash and bean plants peeking over tents. Anand Gopal, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024 Corn yields can decline as temperatures rise and these and other crops such as soy beans can be affected by an increasing number pathogens and pests as precipitation increases earlier. Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 8 Mar. 2024 Rancho Gordo beans, the king of heirloom bean purveyors, are cloaked in a sweet butternut squash sauce. Detroit Free Press, 6 Mar. 2024 Frozen sweet potato, bottle salsa, and canned beans are easy shortcuts that boost the flavor of this egg recipe for breakfast. Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Mar. 2024 The feast includes your choice of roasted turkey or baked ham, plus: Mashed potatoes and gravy Green beans Cornbread stuffing, macaroni and cheese or street corn Cranberry sauce Hawaiian dinner rolls. Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 4 Mar. 2024 The Oscars are like a mystical black box — AMPAS never spills the beans on who voted for what. Clayton Davis, Variety, 28 Feb. 2024 Then come the beans for earthiness and protein (there’s no need to drain and rinse them, by the way), tomatoes for a touch of acidity and umami, and vegetable stock for the requisite liquid. Aaron Hutcherson, Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2024
Verb
Banana Saver Case Internet meme beans The reason these beans are slightly cursed entirely has to do with this long-running popular subreddit r/beansinthings, in which people put these beans in things, all for a good laugh. Wilder Davies, Bon Appétit, 15 Dec. 2023 In other words: Sheridan’s company has already bean there, done that. James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019 Sorana beans with salsa verde, and sheets of pasta enfolding oxtail. Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 10 Dec. 2023 Mike Sneed was walking on a nature trail near his Reston, Va., home recently when he was beaned by a falling acorn. John Kelly, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2023 Mikey Kane was beaned to open the bottom of the 13th and Macias — after botching two bunt attempts — moved Kane to second with a grounder to first. Joe Freeman, oregonlive, 17 Apr. 2023 On Sunday, Harrington’s drive sailed left and beaned a male spectator on the forehead. Brad Townsend, Dallas News, 29 May 2023 He has been beaned three times in the series, including twice on Saturday. ... Joe Freeman, oregonlive, 17 Apr. 2023 Mikey Kane, who continued his hot start to the season, was beaned to open the inning, and the Beavers followed with a pair of bunts — Tanner Smith laid down a single to third base and Kyle Dernedde followed with a sacrifice to first — to put runners on first and second with one out. Joe Freeman, oregonlive, 2 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bean.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English bene, from Old English bēan; akin to Old High German bōna bean

Verb

verbal derivative of bean entry 1 in sense "head"

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1909, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bean was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near bean

Cite this Entry

“Bean.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bean. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

bean

noun
ˈbēn
1
b
: the seed or pod of various erect or climbing plants of the legume family
c
: a plant bearing beans
2
: a seed or fruit like a bean
coffee beans

More from Merriam-Webster on bean

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