fava bean

noun fa·va bean \ ˈfä-və- \

|Updated on: 5 Jul 2018

Definition of fava bean

: the large, flat, edible, starchy seed of an Old World upright vetch (Vicia faba) that is typically pale green to whitish in color and is eaten raw, blanched, or cooked; also : this plant widely grown for its seeds and as fodder — called also broad bean, horse bean ; see favism

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Recent Examples of fava bean from the Web

In the vegetable store, artichokes, fava beans, radicchio, tomatoes, carrots, leeks and squash blossoms are so artfully arranged as to shame any Whole Foods market.

— necee regis, BostonGlobe.com, "Resort’s Tuscany cooking class has all the right ingredients," 2 July 2018
Other traditional offerings could include crispy falafel patties made from chickpeas or fava beans, or chicken and beef wrapped into a warm pita with vegetables and tangy sauces that ooze out with every bite.

— allison steele, Philly.com, "Ramadan a time for peace, joyful celebration - and nightly feasts," 5 June 2018
And my market bag was bulging with leeks, green garlic shoots and glorious colorful chard, fat yellow carrots and fava beans.

— david tanis, New York Times, "Lamb Stew, Now Lighter and Brighter," 11 May 2018
Menu highlights include apricots and Meyer lemon ricottawith crushed pistachios and Fresno chile; and lobster chopped salad with fava beans, cherry tomatoes, avocado and smoked bacon.

— julie giuffrida, latimes.com, "Where to take mom for Mother's Day brunch," 3 May 2018
Flavorful falafel is made from chickpeas and fava beans, and can be served in a well-sized wrap ($10) stuffed with tomato, pickles, lettuce, mint, parsley, and tahini sauce.

— rachel lebeaux, BostonGlobe.com, "Jana Grill and Bakery serves Eastern European, Lebanese specialties," 26 Apr. 2018
Muslims can eat a pre-dawn meal (usually packed with power foods like fava beans, dates, potatoes or yogurt) to get them through the day.

— ashley may, USA TODAY, "Why are Muslims fasting? What you need to know about Ramadan," 11 May 2018
The fava bean and farro soup was genially seasoned with herbs.

— tim smith, baltimoresun.com, "Lupa, the replacement for Petit Louis in Columbia, will make you want to return," 26 Apr. 2018
At this time of year, my favorite thing to eat is: fava beans.

— charlotte druckman, WSJ, "How to Eat Like an Italian," 3 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fava bean.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of fava bean

Italian fava "fava bean," going back to Latin faba, going back to dialectal Indo-European *bhab(h)- (whence also Serbian & Croatian bȍb, bòba "bean," Polish bób, Russian bob all going back to Slavic *bobŭ), probably borrowed from a European substratal language

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First Known Use: 1893

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