bean
BEEN
Bean (noun) means the edible seed of various pod-bearing plants, or the pod itself, eaten as a vegetable. Example: “Add a tin of beans to the stew for extra protein.”
noun
1
The edible seed of various pod-bearing plants, or the pod itself, eaten as a vegetable.
"Add a tin of beans to the stew for extra protein."
"She soaked the dried beans overnight before cooking them."
"We grew runner beans up canes in the garden."
verb
1
Informally, to hit someone with a thrown object, especially on the head.
"He got beaned by a stray baseball in the parking lot."
How to use bean
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA common pod vegetable, or slang for hitting someone (usually in the head).
Common mistake
The verb sense ("beaned him with a snowball") is informal — don't use it in formal writing.
Common pairings
baked beans
a can of beans
bean sprouts
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- beans
- Past tense
- beaned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Add a tin of _____ to the stew for extra protein.
Etymology
From Old English bēan, an ancient Germanic word for the bean plant, related to similar words across many European languages.
Related words
Rhymes for bean
See all rhymes for bean →Frequently asked questions
What does “bean” mean?
The word “bean” means the edible seed of various pod-bearing plants, or the pod itself, eaten as a vegetable. In plain terms, a common pod vegetable, or slang for hitting someone (usually in the head).
How do you pronounce “bean”?
“Bean” is pronounced BEEN (/ˈbi(ː)n/ in IPA).
How do you use “bean” in a sentence?
Here is “bean” used in a sentence: “She soaked the dried beans overnight before cooking them.”
What part of speech is “bean”?
Depending on how it is used, “bean” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “bean” come from?
The word “bean” comes from Old English. From Old English bēan, an ancient Germanic word for the bean plant, related to similar words across many European languages.
Is “bean” a common word?
“Bean” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “bean” have?
“Bean” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the edible seed of various pod-bearing plants, or the pod itself, eaten as a vegetable.
What is the difference between a bean and a legume?
A bean is the edible seed of various pod-bearing plants, or the pod itself, eaten as a vegetable. Legume is the broader term for the whole family of pod-bearing plants and their fruits, which also includes lentils, peas, and peanuts. All beans are legumes, but not every legume is a bean.
What do the idioms 'spill the beans' and 'full of beans' mean?
To spill the beans is to reveal a secret, usually by accident or before you should. To be full of beans is to be lively and energetic. Both idioms are informal and common in everyday speech.
Are beans a vegetable or a protein?
Beans are the edible seeds of pod-bearing plants and are eaten as a vegetable, but nutritionally they are also one of the richest plant sources of protein. That is why dietary guides often count beans in both the vegetable and protein groups.
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