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
A little water goes a long way, unlocking notes of cocoa, banana custard, espresso bean, and soft serve butterscotch dip. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 19 Nov. 2023 The Mediterranean diet is defined by high consumption of olive oil, fish, breads and cereals, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, beans, and seeds; moderate amounts of dairy products, poultry, and alcohol; and small amounts of red and processed meat and sweets. Lauren Manaker Ms, Rdn, Ld, Clec, Verywell Health, 17 Nov. 2023 Today [there's] five-colored carrots, five-colored beets, sumac, amazing beans, amazing peppers, new herbs, and vegetables. Meredith Lepore, Travel + Leisure, 15 Nov. 2023 Lead, on the other hand, can get onto the cocoa beans after harvest, potentially from dust and soil while beans dry outside (especially if they are dried near highways or factories that use lead). Cathy Cassata, Health, 15 Nov. 2023 But the beans and eggs, made with unknowable (and probably unthinkable) quantities of lard, have been a constant for more than three quarters of a century. Jorge Valencia Mariano Fernandez, New York Times, 14 Nov. 2023 The beans could simmer unattended while the cook was busy with the laundry and other chores. Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 11 Nov. 2023 But for five beans or more, his quick estimations were often incorrect. Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 9 Nov. 2023 Canned white Great Northern beans: Adds a rich, creamy texture to the soup once lightly smashed. Melissa Gray, Southern Living, 4 Nov. 2023
Verb
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 Krazy, who suffered the endless brick-chucking torments of Ignatz Mouse, whose life’s pursuit was to bean her, day in, day out, was a bottomless well of forgiveness. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 22 Sep. 2022 Everyone on the field agreed Matt Cain didn’t mean to bean David Wright on Aug, 15, 2009, when the star third baseman suffered a concussion after being hit on the helmet. Jerry Beach, Forbes, 9 Apr. 2022 Eight days earlier in Pittsburgh, Cubs manager Joe Maddon took exception to Pirates pitcher Jordan Lyles nearly beaning Javier Baez. Mark Gonzales, chicagotribune.com, 13 July 2019 See More

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 2 Dec. 2023.

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

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