kidney bean

noun

1
: an edible and nutritious usually kidney-shaped seed of any of various cultivated beans of the common species (Phaseolus vulgaris)
especially : a large dark red kidney bean
2
: a plant bearing kidney beans

Examples of kidney bean in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In fact, a can of chili beans is often made with kidney beans or pinto beans. Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 7 Feb. 2025 Kill City Chili Curry powder is the stealth ingredient in this beef and kidney bean chili from ’90s cult teen magazine Sassy, of all places. Saveur Editors, Saveur, 5 Feb. 2025 Chili beans are often just kidney beans with spices. Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 7 Feb. 2025 Our ranking in specific crops: No. 1 in sugar beets, oats, wild rice and red kidney beans, No. 2 in sweetcorn and green peas. Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 18 Mar. 2024 See All Example Sentences for kidney bean

Word History

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of kidney bean was in 1548

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Kidney bean.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kidney%20bean. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

kidney bean

noun
: an edible seed and especially a large dark red seed of any of several varieties of cultivated bean plants
also : a plant that produces kidney beans

More from Merriam-Webster on kidney bean

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!