castor bean

noun

: the very poisonous seed of the castor-oil plant

Examples of castor bean in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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European Viscum species are considered more toxic due to the presence of viscumin, a toxin similar to ricin from castor bean that is not present in their American Phoradendron counterparts. Matt Kasson, Popular Science, 17 Dec. 2025 Made from sustainable sources—like castor beans, oils and polysaccharides—BioCir Flex biodegrades into renewable biomass when composted in industrial facilities or can be recycled for continuous use. Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 4 Dec. 2025 How Castor Oil Works as a Laxative Castor oil is a thick, pale yellow liquid extracted from the seeds of the castor bean plant (Ricinus communis). Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 11 July 2025 Ricin is a natural, highly toxic compound that is a byproduct of processing castor beans. Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 17 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for castor bean

Word History

First Known Use

1819, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of castor bean was in 1819

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Cite this Entry

“Castor bean.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/castor%20bean. Accessed 24 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

castor bean

noun
cas·​tor bean
ˈkas-tər-
: the very poisonous seed of the castor-oil plant

Medical Definition

castor bean

noun
cas·​tor bean ˈkas-tər- How to pronounce castor bean (audio)
: the very poisonous seed of the castor-oil plant

More from Merriam-Webster on castor bean

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