lima bean

noun

li·​ma bean ˈlī-mə- How to pronounce lima bean (audio)
1
: a bushy or vining tropical American bean (Phaseolus lunatus synonym Phaseolus limensis) that is widely cultivated for its flat edible starchy seed which is usually pale green when immature and whitish or beige when mature
2
: the seed of a lima bean eaten usually cooked as a vegetable see butter bean, sieva bean

Examples of lima bean in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Each Southern cook has a secret combination of ingredients, but most agree that corn, butter or lima beans, and tomatoes are essential. Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 13 Feb. 2024 While chicken cools, stir tomatoes, lima beans and corn into stew and continue to simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes. Andrea Weigl, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 In my house, a common Sunday afternoon involves large white lima beans stained purple with small black beans. Eric Kim, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2024 That’s how Brown learned to prepare okra stew, shrimp and grits, stewed lima beans, and pimiento cheese—dishes that are often associated with Charleston’s distinct brand of Lowcountry cuisine but aren’t always credited to the Gullah people. Priya Krishna, Southern Living, 9 Nov. 2023 In camp stew, the meat is slowly simmered with tomatoes, potatoes, and onions, and perhaps corn and lima beans, while Brunswick stew usually incorporates onions, potatoes, tomatoes, and maybe limas and corn. Robert F. Moss, Southern Living, 27 Oct. 2023 Early plantings include lima bean, snap bean, corn, cucumber, eggplant, pepper, southern pea, rhubarb, squash, and tomato; End of the month crops include broccoli, cabbage, celery, collard, endive, lettuce, mustard, onion, radish, strawberry and turnip. Tom MacCubbin, orlandosentinel.com, 29 Aug. 2020 The Grand Del Mar golf course was once a lima bean farm. San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Oct. 2023 That was often flat green or lima beans, tomatoes, onions and snails, and maybe rabbit or chicken on special occasions. cleveland, 29 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lima bean.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Lima, Peru

First Known Use

1756, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of lima bean was in 1756

Dictionary Entries Near lima bean

Cite this Entry

“Lima bean.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lima%20bean. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

lima bean

noun
li·​ma bean ˌlī-mə- How to pronounce lima bean (audio)
: a tropical American bean plant widely grown for its flat edible usually pale green or whitish seeds
also : the seed of a lima bean

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