lima bean

noun

li·​ma bean ˈlī-mə- 

1

: a bushy or vining tropical American bean (Phaseolus lunatus synonym Phaseolus limensis) that is widely cultivated for its flat edible starchy seed which is usually pale green when immature and whitish or beige when mature

2

: the seed of a lima bean eaten usually cooked as a vegetable see butter bean, sieva bean

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Not a fan of lima beans? —Bhg Test Kitchen, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Mar. 2023

In this case, Mukha, a port city in Yemen that handled coffee shipments in the 18th century. Other toponyms include vichyssoise, from Vichy, France; Tabasco peppers from the Mexican city; bialy from Bialystok, Poland; and lima beans from Lima, Peru (not Lima, Ohio). —Kim Severson, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2023

Rich with fiber, vitamins, and minerals, lima beans are often considered one of the most nutritious legumes. —Claudia Alarcón, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2023

The area was a major lima bean grower. —Lola Sherman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Jan. 2023

Early plantings include lima bean, snap bean, corn, cucumber, eggplant, pepper, southern pea, rhubarb, squash, and tomato; End of the month crops include broccoli, cabbage, celery, collard, endive, lettuce, mustard, onion, radish, strawberry and turnip 4. —Tom Maccubbin, orlandosentinel.com, 28 Aug. 2021

Three years: Arugula, green bean, lima bean, broccoli, carrot, lettuce and pea seeds. —Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2022

Surprisingly unjuicy: The area was a working ranch, farming the humble lima bean long before scandal and designer boutiques moved in (and humility mostly moved out). —The Editors, Robb Report, 10 Apr. 2022

And the CT scan revealed a growth about the size of a lima bean on his pituitary. —New York Times, 29 Dec. 2021

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Word History

Etymology

Lima, Peru

First Known Use

1756, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

lima bean

noun

li·​ma bean ˌlī-mə- 

: a tropical American bean plant widely grown for its flat edible usually pale green or whitish seeds

also : the seed of a lima bean