bean

Universal Words noun 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.