jack bean

noun

: a bushy annual tropical American legume (Canavalia ensiformis) grown especially for forage

Word History

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of jack bean was in 1885

Dictionary Entries Near jack bean

Cite this Entry

“Jack bean.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jack%20bean. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

jack bean

noun
1
: an annual tropical American plant of the genus Canavalia
especially : a plant (C. ensiformis) having long pods with white seeds and grown especially for forage
2
: the seed of the jack bean that is a source of canavalin and urease
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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