Bean

/biːn/

Meaning & Definition

noun

The edible seed of various plants, especially those of the legume family, typically used as food.

I added kidney beans to the chili for extra protein.

A seed from a plant that is used to grow the plant, especially those that come from the genus Phaseolus.

We planted several types of beans in the garden this spring.

A coffee bean, often used as a measure for coffee quantity.

I only drink coffee made from freshly ground beans.

verb

To cheat or swindle, often used informally.

He tried to bean me out of my fair share of the profits.

Middle English, from Old English 'bean', from Proto-Germanic '*bōną'.

spilled the beans

To reveal a secret or disclose information.

full of beans

Lively and energetic.

not worth a hill of beans

Something that is not valuable or insignificant.

legume

A plant in the family Fabaceae, or its edible seeds.

coffee

A beverage made from roasted coffee beans.

A term for a dollar or money.

I don't have a bean left after shopping.

To shoot someone, often used in urban slang.

He got beaned in the street fight.