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bean

noun
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\ ˈbēn How to pronounce bean (audio) \

Definition of bean

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1a : fava bean
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
2a : 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
4a 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

verb
beaned; beaning; beans

Definition of bean (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to strike (a person) on the head with an object
Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about bean

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Synonyms for bean

Synonyms: Noun

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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 Plans are for the second floor to be open in late spring, James Courtney said. 5 things to know about the Proving Grounds Coffee and Ice Cream Coffee beans from around the world are in house-roasted. — Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, "5 things to know about the new Proving Grounds Coffee in Royal Oak," 6 Feb. 2020 For tips on how to cook the beans, read the story: Beans are good for the planet, for you and for your dinner table. — Washington Post, "Orecchiette With Borlotti Beans, Bitter Greens and Lemony Bread Crumbs," 2 Feb. 2020 Let cool until the beans are only slightly warm and then drain them. — Nick Sharma, SFChronicle.com, "A Brown Kitchen: Roasted Cabbage & White Beans With Mustard Oil Gribiche," 28 Jan. 2020 That said, canned beans are one of the greatest supermarket convenience foods, ever. — Melissa Clark, New York Times, "The Meat-Lover’s Guide to Eating Less Meat," 31 Dec. 2019 Nearly all coffee seems to taste fresher if the beans were ground just before the coffee was made. — The Editors, Field & Stream, "Three Things You Need to Make A Great Cup Of Coffee," 5 Dec. 2019 When beans are scarce, Northern Hemisphere producers and Southern Hemisphere producers in effect alternate as providers for big export markets. — Kevin D. Williamson, National Review, "We Are Not Winning the Trade War," 4 Dec. 2019 Filet beans are a variety of green beans that are small and tender. — CBS News, "The Dish: Chef Whitney Otawka of Greyfield Inn," 2 Nov. 2019 The bean used here is the mighty chickpea, and this dish so chock-full of them that it warrants being called a chickpea stew. — oregonlive, "Quick and flavorful chickpea stew is perfect for busy nights," 3 Oct. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Eight days earlier in Pittsburgh, Cubs manager Joe Maddon took exception to Pirates pitcher Jordan Lyles nearly beaning Javier Baez. — Mark Gonzales, chicagotribune.com, "Cubs resigned to dealing with the high-and-tight pitching style of the Pirates: ‘They throw in all the time’," 13 July 2019 Immediately following the show, there will bean after arty in the Kleist Center’s Black Box Theatre. — Rich Heileman, cleveland, "Radio station’s 'Hunger Challenge’ aims to stock local food pantries: Around The Town," 8 Nov. 2019 The Dodgers were fortunate the Nationals didn’t further reduce their 3-1 lead in that inning, which Buehler started by beaning Kurt Suzuki. — Los Angeles Times, "Column: Clayton Kershaw suffers another crushing postseason blow," 10 Oct. 2019 After Maddon’s ejection, David Bote was beaned by reliever Clay Holmes with the bases loaded during a five-run fifth, causing home-plate umpire Joe West to issue warnings to both dugouts. — Mark Gonzales, chicagotribune.com, "‘It was the first time I saw Joe this mad’: Maddon ejected after more inside pitching from the Pirates in the Cubs’ 11-3 win," 3 July 2019 Attacking the upper half of the strike zone against the Cubs has been a successful ploy by the Dodgers and Braves, but the high and tight pitches by Lyles and Clay Holmes — who beaned David Bote with the bases loaded — were too much for Maddon. — Mark Gonzales, chicagotribune.com, "4 takeaways from the Cubs-Pirates series, including managerial tension and who is the better football player — Joe Maddon or Joe West?," 5 July 2019 On June 21, 1967, Yankees pitcher Thad Tillotson beaned Sox third baseman Joe Foy, who had hit a grand slam the day before, in the second inning. — Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, "Former Red Sox ace Jim Lonborg is all abuzz over his bees," 27 Aug. 2019 Baltimore closer Mychal Givens beaned Bregman between the shoulder blades with a 97 mph fastball in the ninth inning. — Chandler Rome, Houston Chronicle, "Alex Bregman held out of Astros-White Sox doubleheader," 13 Aug. 2019 On one occasion a visitor who'd been beaned one too many times with the bopping stick of a gladiator returned with a few friends, which prompted the gladiator to get a few of his own fellow warriors. — Jack Mccallum, SI.com, "Remembering Action Park, America's Most Dangerous, Daring Water Park," 1 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bean.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of bean

Noun

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

Verb

1909, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for bean

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"

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Time Traveler for bean

Time Traveler

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

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Statistics for bean

Last Updated

14 Feb 2020

Cite this Entry

“Bean.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beans. Accessed 17 Feb. 2020.

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More Definitions for bean

bean

verb

English Language Learners Definition of bean

informal : to hit (someone) on the head with something

See the full definition for bean in the English Language Learners Dictionary

bean

noun
\ ˈbēn How to pronounce bean (audio) \

Kids Definition of bean

1 : the edible seed or pod of a bushy or climbing garden plant related to the peas and clovers
2 : a seed or fruit like a bean coffee beans

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More from Merriam-Webster on bean

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for bean

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with bean

Spanish Central: Translation of bean

Nglish: Translation of bean for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of bean for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bean

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