string bean

noun

1
: a bean of one of the older varieties of kidney bean that have stringy fibers on the lines of separation of the pods
broadly : snap bean
2
: a very tall thin person

Illustration of string bean

Illustration of string bean
  • string bean 1

Examples of string bean in a Sentence

Her boyfriend's a real string bean.
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.
Both types are made from the same variety of mature green beans (aka string beans or snap beans). — Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Nov. 2025 The factory first opened in 1925, processing corn, string beans and peas. — Katherine Laidlaw, HubSpot, 5 Sep. 2025 Expertly cooked and de-boned, drizzled with golden olive oil, was a branzino with spring’s string beans and purple potatoes. — John Mariani, Forbes.com, 19 Mar. 2026 Turkey, string beans, yams, potato salad, cranberry sauce, stuffing, and of course, a little pasta on the side. — Adrianna Rodriguez, USA Today, 25 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for string bean

Word History

First Known Use

1754, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of string bean was in 1754

Rhymes for string bean

See All Rhymes for string bean

Browse Nearby Words

string bass
string bean
string bikini
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“String bean.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/string%20bean. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

string bean

noun
1
: a bean of one of the older varieties of kidney bean that have stringy fibers on the lines of separation of the pods
also : snap bean
2
: a very tall thin person

More from Merriam-Webster on string bean

Nglish: Translation of string bean for Spanish Speakers

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!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All