1 a seed, or POD containing seeds, of a climbing plant, eaten as a vegetable. There are several types of bean and the plants that they grow on are also called beans:
broad beans * runner beans * beans (= BAKEDBEANS) on toast
2 (usually in compounds) a seed from a coffee plant, or some other plants:
coffee / cocoa beans
seealsoJELLYBEAN
IDIOMS
full of beans / life having a lot of energy
not have a bean (BrE, informal) to have no money
moreatHILL, SPILLv.
