WordGarden.iobean
A1Pronunciation
UK
- /bˈiːn/
US
- /ˈbin/
Meanings
Noun
an edible legume seed used as food
a legume plant that produces beans
a reusable software component or object, especially in Java systems
Beyond the definition
A "bean" most commonly refers to the edible seed of legume plants, such as kidney beans, black beans, and green beans. They are a global food staple, valued for protein, fiber, and versatility in soups, stews, salads, and side dishes. Beyond the plant itself, the word can be used loosely for similarly shaped seeds, like coffee or cocoa "beans," even though those are not botanically true beans. In everyday English, it appears in idioms like "not worth a bean" (of little value) and "full of beans" (energetic, lively). In casual language it can also be a playful nickname, and as a verb "to bean" someone means to strike them, usually on the head.
The word "bean" primarily refers to seeds of plants in the Fabaceae family, commonly known as legumes. These seeds usually grow in pods and come in many shapes and sizes: from pinto and kidney beans to soy and black beans, and related pulses like lentils and chickpeas are often grouped with them in everyday speech. In cooking, they show up in cuisines around the world, including refried beans, baked beans, edamame, and bean stews or curries.
Some seeds are called "beans" by convention rather than strict botany. Coffee and cocoa are common examples: we call them beans, but they are seeds from the coffee and cacao plants rather than true legume beans. In figurative and idiomatic English, a "bean" can stand for a small amount or something of low importance in phrases such as "not worth a bean." "Full of beans" means energetic or lively, while "bean" can also function as a verb meaning to hit someone on the head.
In modern informal usage, people may use "bean" as a term of endearment, especially in playful or internet contexts. Across dictionary, kitchen, and conversational use, the word stays flexible: practical, familiar, and deeply embedded in everyday English.
Examples
- 1
Home garden
She grows beans in a small garden behind her house.
- 2
Meal
We had rice and beans for dinner.
- 3
Cooking
These green beans need a few more minutes to cook.
- 4
Salad ingredient
The salad is made with white beans, tomatoes, and olive oil.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Coffee
Fresh coffee beans smell better than ground coffee.
- 6
Idiom
Someone spilled the beans before we were ready to share the news.
- Phrasespill the beans
tell a secret or share news too early
See also
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- beannounverb
Forms
- beanspluralnounverb