bean
the edible nutritious seed of various plants of the legume family, especially of the genus Phaseolus.
a plant producing such seeds.
the pod of such a plant, especially when immature and eaten as a vegetable.
any of various other beanlike seeds or plants, as the coffee bean.
Slang.
a person's head.
a coin or a bank note considered as a coin: I can't pay for the ticket, I don't have a bean in my jeans.
British Informal. a minimum amount of money: They've been disinherited and now haven't a bean.
beans, Informal. the slightest amount: He doesn't know beans about navigation.
Slang. to hit on the head, especially with a baseball.
beans, (used to express disbelief, annoyance, etc.)
Idioms about bean
full of beans, Informal.
energetic; vigorously active; vital: He is still full of beans at 95.
stupid; erroneous; misinformed.
spill the beans, Informal. to disclose a secret, either accidentally or imprudently, thereby ruining a surprise or plan: He spilled the beans, and she knew all about the party in advance.
Origin of bean
1Other words from bean
- beanlike, adjective
Words that may be confused with bean
Other definitions for Bean (2 of 2)
Alan L(aVern), 1932–2018, U.S. astronaut.
Roy "Judge", 1825?–1903, U.S. frontiersman and justice of the peace: called himself “the law west of the Pecos.”
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use bean in a sentence
In a medium saucepan or Dutch oven over high heat, combine the beans with the 4 cups water and baking soda.
How to make dal makhani, the most luxurious and creamy dal of all | Joe Yonan | November 20, 2020 | Washington PostBecause they’re similarly bite-size, it’s tempting to treat Brussels sprouts like green beans or baby carrots, but they’re nothing alike when it comes to taste.
A guide to Brussels sprouts: How to choose, store, season and cook the versatile vegetable | Daniela Galarza | November 20, 2020 | Washington PostThis gravy with dried mushrooms and beans is full-flavored and totally vegetarian.
6 gravy recipes to pour over your mashed potatoes — and anything else this Thanksgiving | Kari Sonde, Becky Krystal | November 19, 2020 | Washington PostIf green bean casserole has gotten the boot, throw those green beans in with your potatoes.
Mashed, roasted, crispy or creamy: Our best potato recipes for your holiday table | Kari Sonde | November 12, 2020 | Washington PostIt’s then served with rice and beans on the side, of course.
The next time they met, in 1976, Ellis beaned him in the face.
‘No No,’ a Documentary on MLB Pitcher Dock Ellis, Who Pitched a No-Hitter While Tripping on Acid | Marlow Stern | February 5, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTI seen the whole thing myself—it was right after that that I got beaned.
From Place to Place | Irvin S. CobbThe field where the hickory and pecans are to go has the tree rows plowed, manured and soy beaned ready for planting.
Northern Nut Growers Association Report of the Proceedings at the Thirty-Eighth Annual Meeting | Northern Nut Growers AssociationThe player had been "beaned," and his fear of a recurrence was so strong that he became "plate shy."
A Practical Guide to Self-Hypnosis | Melvin PowersI'll just bet you'd 'a' beaned me one with that as soon as not, eh, Miss Deane?
Find the Woman | Arthur Somers RocheWhen he knocked on the door, I opened up and beaned him with the poker.
Dorothy Dixon and the Double Cousin | Dorothy Wayne
British Dictionary definitions for bean
/ (biːn) /
any of various leguminous plants of the widely cultivated genus Phaseolus producing edible seeds in pods: See French bean, lima bean, scarlet runner, string bean
any of several other leguminous plants that bear edible pods or seeds, such as the broad bean and soya bean
any of various other plants whose seeds are produced in pods or podlike fruits
the seed or pod of any of these plants
any of various beanlike seeds, such as coffee
US and Canadian slang another word for head
cool beans slang excellent; impressive
not have a bean slang to be without money: I haven't got a bean
full of beans informal
full of energy and vitality
US mistaken; erroneous
spill the beans informal to disclose something confidential
mainly US and Canadian slang (tr) to hit (a person) on the head
Origin of bean
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with bean
see full of beans; not have a bean; not know beans; not worth a dime (bean); spill the beans; tough break (beans).
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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