Beans Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/biːnz/

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

A type of legume, typically harvested for its edible seeds. Beans are a common ingredient in many cuisines around the world and are a good source of protein, fiber, and other essential nutrients.

Examples

We cooked up a pot of beans for dinner.
Beans are a staple ingredient in many Latin American dishes.

Synonyms

Legume
Pulse

Antonyms

Fruit
Vegetable

Etymology

The word “bean” originates from the Old English word “bēan,” which referred to the bean plant. The word has since evolved to encompass the edible seeds of the plant as well.

Usage Notes

When referring to the plant or the seeds, the word “bean” is typically capitalized. In cooking, it’s common to use the term “beans” to refer to the seeds, while in botany, the plant is referred to as the “bean plant.”

Cultural References

Beans have appeared in various cultural references, including literature (e.g., “Green Eggs and Ham” by Dr. Seuss) and film (e.g., “The Joy Luck Club” by Wayne Wang).

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

Phrases such as “full of beans” (meaning energetic and lively) and “beans, beans, the magical fruit” (a popular children’s song) are idiomatic expressions that use the word “bean” in a creative way.

Related Words or Phrases

Words and phrases closely related to “bean” include “kale,” “pea,” “chickpea,” and “legume.”

Collocations

Common collocations with “bean” include “cooked beans,” “canned beans,” and ” bean salad.”

Frequency of Use

According to the Corpus of Contemporary American English, the word “bean” has a frequency of use of approximately 0.0135, indicating that it is a relatively common word in modern language.