bean

¹

[ been ]

noun

1. the edible nutritious seed of various plants of the legume family, especially of the genus Phaseolus.
2. a plant producing such seeds.
3. the pod of such a plant, especially when immature and eaten as a vegetable.
4. any of various other beanlike seeds or plants, as the coffee bean.
5. Slang.
   1. a person's head.
   2. 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.

6. British Informal. a minimum amount of money:

   They've been disinherited and now haven't a bean.

7. beans, Informal. the slightest amount:

   He doesn't know beans about navigation.

verb (used with object)

1. Slang. to hit on the head, especially with a baseball.

interjection

1. beans, (used to express disbelief, annoyance, etc.)

Bean

²

[ been ]

noun

1. Alan L(aVern), 1932–2018, U.S. astronaut.
2. Roy Judge, 1825?–1903, U.S. frontiersman and justice of the peace: called himself “the law west of the Pecos.”

bean

/ biːn /

noun

1. 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
2. any of several other leguminous plants that bear edible pods or seeds, such as the broad bean and soya bean
3. any of various other plants whose seeds are produced in pods or podlike fruits
4. the seed or pod of any of these plants
5. any of various beanlike seeds, such as coffee
6. slang.
   another word for head
7. cool beans slang.
   excellent; impressive
8. not have a bean slang.
   to be without money

   I haven't got a bean

9. full of beans informal.
   1. full of energy and vitality
   2. mistaken; erroneous
10. spill the beans informal.
    to disclose something confidential

verb

1. slang.
   tr to hit (a person) on the head

Other Words From

• beanlike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of bean¹

before 950; Middle English bene, Old English bēan; cognate with Old Norse baun, Old Frisian bāne, Dutch boon, Old Saxon, Old High German bona ( German Bohne ), probably < Germanic *babnō, cognate with Russian bob, Latin faba < European Indo-European *bhabh-

Word History and Origins

Origin of bean¹

Old English bēan ; related to Old Norse baun , Old Frisian bāne , Old High German bōna bean

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. full of beans, Informal.
   1. energetic; vigorously active; vital:

      He is still full of beans at 95.

   2. stupid; erroneous; misinformed.
2. 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.

More idioms and phrases containing bean

see full of beans ; not have a bean ; not know beans ; not worth a dime (bean) ; spill the beans ; tough break (beans) .

Example Sentences

If it hadn't been for the squirrels, George Matthew's attempt to become a cocoa bean producer might have failed.

From BBC

Included in the lists of items to be kept at home are long-life foods such as tins of beans, energy bars and pasta, and medicines including iodine tablets in case of a nuclear accident.

From BBC

Three staffing firms, for example, are under investigation by the Illinois Labor Department for concerns related to improper training at Ferrara Candy, the maker of SweeTarts and Jelly Belly jelly beans.

From New York Times

She wants rice and beans and nothing else.

From Los Angeles Times

The vitamin folate, also known as vitamin B9, is found in everyday foods such as beans and some green vegetables, meaning most people receive a sufficient dose from eating a regular, healthy diet.

From BBC

Related Words

• berry
• grain
• kernel