snap bean

noun

1. a crisp bean pod, as a green bean or a wax bean, that is easily broken into pieces for cooking.

snap bean

noun

1. any of various bean plants that are cultivated in the US for their crisp edible unripe pods
2. the pod of such a plant

Word History and Origins

Origin of snap bean¹

An Americanism dating back to 1760–70

Word History and Origins

Origin of snap bean¹

C19: so called because the pods are broken into pieces for eating