bean

noun

\ ˈbēn

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

block [slang], dome, head, mazard (or mazzard) [chiefly dialect], nob, noddle, noggin, noodle, nut [slang], pate, poll

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

Unsurprisingly, the Nintendo Switch was everywhere at this weekend's PAX West, from massive demo stations to people chilling on PAX bean bags with their own Switches. — Sam Machkovech, Ars Technica, "Diablo 3, Untitled Goose Game lead PAX West’s Nintendo Switch lineup," 4 Sep. 2018 Prosecutors said Sweeney fatally shot Pigeon after another officer, Troy Nitzky, fired a bean bag to no effect. — Fox News, "Oklahoma officer to face trial in fatal shooting," 20 Aug. 2018 Ten minutes before serving, gently stir in beans, corn, and chicken and cook until heated through. — Woman's Day Kitchen, Woman's Day, "Slow Cooker Tex-Mex Chili," 30 Jan. 2019 Healthy foods, such as indigenous grains, corn, herbs, beans, squash, and melons, are limited or expensive on the Navajo Nation, which is roughly the size of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont combined. — Parvannah Lee, Teen Vogue, "I'm From the Navajo Nation and I Want to Help My Community Get Healthy Food," 22 Nov. 2018 Add pineapple, beans, and cilantro; toss to combine. — Anna Helm Baxter, Country Living, "Black Bean-and-Pineapple Salad," 5 Nov. 2018 Bieber’s supposed decision to bite directly into the middle — resulting in beans, cheese, meat, and lettuce spilling all over the ground — is absurd. — Julia Alexander, The Verge, "The bizarre Justin Bieber burrito incident reminds us not to believe everything online," 29 Oct. 2018 Buy non-perishable food such as beans, rice, pasta, and other grains, in bulk to reduce packaging, and take your own reusable containers to the store to avoid bags. — Radhika Viswanathan, Vox, "Why Starbucks, Disney, and the EU are all shunning plastic straws," 24 Oct. 2018 In the vegetable garden, Burch gleefully points out the serried ranks of okra, eggplant, beans, peppers, kale, cucumber, and cantaloupe. — Hamish Bowles, Vogue, "Inside Tory Burch’s Lovingly Restored Antigua Getaway," 15 Aug. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Against the New York Giants, Orioles shortstop Hughie Jennings is beaned by Amos Rusie, the hardest-throwing pitcher in the National League. — Mike Klingaman, baltimoresun.com, "The Sun Remembers: This Week in Maryland Sports History for June 24-30," 24 June 2018 Hitters Konstanty beaned, Giants manager Leo Durocher once joked, didn’t even get headaches. — Frank Fitzpatrick, Philly.com, "The undertaker who brought Jim Konstanty to life | Frank's Place," 23 June 2018 Both sides had been warned by plate umpire Andy Fletcher the previous inning after Giants rookie starter Dereck Rodriguez beaned Lewis Brinson as tempers flared for a second straight game. — Janie Mccauley, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Straily, Mattingly both ejected in Marlins' loss to Giants," 20 June 2018 That, unfortunately, could go on hold after Baez left Sunday’s game after a Jack Flaherty fastball beaned him square on the elbow. — Si.com Staff, SI.com, "Nine Innings: Jason Heyward's Turning Point, Expansion Possibilities and Bryce Harper's Struggles," 18 June 2018 Apparently, getting beaned by two cans of Bush's sweet 'n' savories didn't calm him down. — Howard Cohen, miamiherald, "'Stop! Or I'll hurl these baked beans at you!' And that's what this Florida deputy did," 5 June 2018 Knights pitchers beaned four batters total — with Jourdyn Campbell being the victim three times. — Jason Mcdaniel, Houston Chronicle, "Maddie Lindsey anchors Kingwood's win over Clear Falls," 11 May 2018 Bryant had missed the last four games after being beaned in Colorado last Sunday. — Paul Sullivan, chicagotribune.com, "Kris Bryant returns to Cubs lineup against Brewers," 28 Apr. 2018 The third baseman was beaned by Colorado German Marquez on Sunday and has missed the last four games . . . — BostonGlobe.com, "Mass. basketball director Thomas Gassnola pleads guilty," 28 Apr. 2018

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.