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 Ice cream, yogurt, milk, butter, made from every nut (including coconut), seed and bean imaginable, all at my local grocery store! — Kyle Beechey, SELF, "10 of the Smoothest, Creamiest Non-Dairy ‘Dairy’ Products," 27 Mar. 2021 Madrid was struck by bean bag rounds and barricaded himself. — Connor Van Ligten, The Arizona Republic, "Man surrenders after standoff with U.S. Marshal's task force, Mesa SWAT team," 11 Mar. 2021 During couple's portraits, guests headed to cocktail hour where Silva Carvalho Catering served up canapes, cheeses and jams, paella, a traditional mushroom and bean stew, and lots of tequila brought in from Spain. — Shira Savada, Harper's BAZAAR, "This Pre-COVID Destination Wedding Has Us Dreaming of Traveling Again," 30 Dec. 2020 Interval gives me the opportunity to roast every bean. — Kristine M. Kierzek, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Interval coffee's intimate setting lets creator stay involved from bean to cup," 18 Mar. 2021 Ovelle has contracted WeHa Roasters to roast beans for retail but does sample roasts to experiment with roasting profiles and bean combinations. — Brad Horrigan, courant.com, "Ovelle Coffee is Sasha Fay’s way of sharing her Jamaican heritage with her community," 13 Mar. 2021 The sea bean crop, marketed and sold in Asia, will also supplement farmer incomes. — Caroline Hatchett, Smithsonian Magazine, "How One Farmer Is Introducing Americans to Sea Beans," 12 Mar. 2021 After one officer fired a less lethal bean bag round, Ramos, allegedly got back in the car and started to drive off, the police chief said. — Ray Sanchez And Will Brown, CNN, "Austin, Texas, police officer indicted for murder in fatal shooting," 11 Mar. 2021 There are hearty bean stews studded with wild game, Flintstone-size steaks of black Aliveña beef, and snappy chorizo sausages that gush hot, heavenly juices. — Benjamin Kemper, Bon Appétit, "Patatas Revolconas Are Garlicky, Porky Mashed Potatoes," 11 Mar. 2021 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.