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. Informal.,  beans, 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. slang,  excellent; impressive

8. slang,  to be without money

   I haven't got a bean

9. informal

   1. full of energy and vitality

   2. mistaken; erroneous

10. informal,  to disclose something confidential

verb

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

Other Word Forms

• beanlike 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,

   1. energetic; vigorously active; vital.

      He is still full of beans at 95.

   2. stupid; erroneous; misinformed.

2. spill the beans, 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.

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 the tariffs are meant to weaken Brazil, in reality, it is pushing sellers closer to China," said Mr Portes, who trades raw coffee beans around the world.

From BBC

The 45-year-old works with a small team to cultivate rows of vegetables – including beans, spinach, cauliflower and tomatoes.

From BBC

A heady mix of oxygen, Pringles and jelly beans helped propel Kirsty to the "death zone", where oxygen levels are insufficient to support human life, and the summit.

From BBC

The vast coastal plain grows most of the nation’s celery, along with beans, strawberries, onions and peppers, according to UC Davis data.

From Los Angeles Times

Executives said the purchase was intended to create a "resilient and diversified" coffee business, forming a "global coffee champion" at a time when the industry is grappling with tariffs and high prices for coffee beans.

From BBC

Related Words

• berry 
• grain 
• kernel