kidney bean

noun

1

: an edible and nutritious usually kidney-shaped seed of any of various cultivated beans of the common species (Phaseolus vulgaris)

especially : a large dark red kidney bean

2

: a plant bearing kidney beans

Examples of kidney bean in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Canned kidney beans provide structure, so when many veggie burgers fall apart, this one holds its shape until the last bite. —Riley Wofford, Martha Stewart, 9 Jan. 2026

For example, edamame (soybeans), black beans, and kidney beans are all excellent sources of magnesium. —Jennifer Lefton, Verywell Health, 7 Jan. 2026

Our recipe features ground beef, kidney beans, onion, bell pepper, and diced tomatoes. —Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 5 Jan. 2026

Wide-open windows Space loitering, kidney bean paths, gravity assists, hyperbolic orbits and wide-open windows — enter the world of Jeffrey Parker, Chief Technology Officer at Advanced Space in Westminster, Colorado, the chief architect behind the ESCAPADE mission's roundabout road trip to Mars. —Leonard David, Space.com, 4 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for kidney bean

• acrolein
• adenine
• alkylene
• aniline
• anthracene
• aquiline
• asphaltene
• atlantean
• atrazine
• butadiene
• butylene
• caesarean

Kids Definition

kidney bean

noun

: an edible seed and especially a large dark red seed of any of several varieties of cultivated bean plants

also : a plant that produces kidney beans