bean

UK: /ˈbiːn/ US: /bin/ ,(bēn)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

bean /bin/   n. 

[countable]
1. Plant Biology the nutritious seed of various plants of the legume family, eaten as a vegetable:
   a can of beans.
2. Plant Biology a plant producing such seeds.
3. any of various other beanlike seeds or plants:
   the smell of freshly ground coffee beans.
4. Slang Terms Informal. a person's head:
   Now you're using your bean.
5. Informal Terms beans, [plural] Informal. (used with negative words or phrases) the slightest amount:
   He doesn't know beans about navigation.

v. [~ + object]

6. Slang Terms Informal. to hit on the head, esp. with a baseball.

Idioms

7. Idioms spill the beans, [Informal.] to disclose a secret:
   So, now she knows about the surprise; I wonder who spilled the beans?

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

bean  (bēn), n. 

1. Plant Biology the edible nutritious seed of various plants of the legume family, esp. of the genus Phaseolus.
2. Plant Biology a plant producing such seeds.
3. Plant Biology the pod of such a plant, esp. when immature and eaten as a vegetable.
4. any of various other beanlike seeds or plants, as the coffee bean.
5. Slang Terms
   • a person's head.
   • 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 Terms a minimum amount of money:
   They've been disinherited and now haven't a bean.
7. Informal Terms beans, the slightest amount:
   He doesn't know beans about navigation.
8. Idioms full of beans, [Informal.]
   • energetic;
     vigorously active;
     vital:
     He is still full of beans at 95.
   • stupid;
     erroneous;
     misinformed.
9. 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.

v.t. 

10. Slang Terms to hit on the head, esp. with a baseball.

interj. 

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

• European Indo-European *bhabh-
• Gmc *babnō, cognate with Russian bob, Latin faba
• bef. 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

bean′like′, adj. 

Bean  (bēn), n. 

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

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

bean / biːn/ noun

1. any of various leguminous plants of the widely cultivated genus Phaseolus producing edible seeds in pods
   See lima bean, scarlet runner
2. any of various other plants whose seeds are produced in pods or podlike fruits
3. 
   another word for head
4. not have a bean ⇒ to be without money
5. full of beans ⇒ full of energy and vitality

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