broad bean

noun

: fava bean

Examples of broad bean in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Legumes such as broad beans, chickpeas, lentils, and peas were also important. — Laura Payne, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Sep. 2026

Fava beans, the large flat seeds of a flowering plant that are commonly known as broad beans, were relatively plentiful and inexpensive through much of history. — Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 2 July 2025

At a recent lunch to celebrate Sankranti, a Hindu harvest festival, for instance, diners feasted on an Udipi-style thali with dishes like turnip masala vada, puliyogare (tamarind rice), and avarekalu usili (broad bean curry). — Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Apr. 2025

Tetra Pak is exploring fava beans (also known as broad beans) as a potential solution. — Alex Christian, WIRED, 4 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1723, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for broad bean

• agin
• alkene
• allene
• ameen
• amin
• arene
• athene
• baleen
• beeline
• benzene
• between
• bromine

Kids Definition

broad bean

noun

1

: an Old World upright vetch widely grown for its seeds and as fodder

2

: the large flat edible seed of a broad bean

Medical Definition

broad bean

noun

ˈbrȯd-ˌbēn 

: the large flat edible seed of an Old World upright vetch (Vicia faba)

also : this plant widely grown for its seeds and as fodder

called also fava bean

see favism