: the large, flat, edible, starchy seed of an Old World upright vetch (Vicia faba) that is typically pale green to whitish in color and is eaten raw, blanched, or cooked
also
: this plant widely grown for its seeds and as fodder
called also broad bean, horse bean
see favismExamples of fava bean in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Toss chickpeas, fava beans, peas, or snap peas in oil (Humm likes algae oil for its light and buttery flavor and high smoke point), then cook them in a metal mesh basket over very high and direct heat.
—
Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 May 2024
Then there were artichokes and fava beans, which were in season.
—Frank Bruni Laura May Todd, New York Times, 13 May 2024
Before they can be eaten, fava beans need to be blanched, which involves boiling water and then adding salt until the water is as salty as the ocean.
—Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 16 Feb. 2024
Since fava beans can be harder to find as readily in the United States, Gao often substitutes them with an assortment of mixed nuts.
—Jing Gao, Saveur, 31 Jan. 2024
See all Example Sentences for fava bean 
Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 May 2024
Then there were artichokes and fava beans, which were in season.
—Frank Bruni Laura May Todd, New York Times, 13 May 2024
Before they can be eaten, fava beans need to be blanched, which involves boiling water and then adding salt until the water is as salty as the ocean.
—Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 16 Feb. 2024
Since fava beans can be harder to find as readily in the United States, Gao often substitutes them with an assortment of mixed nuts.
—Jing Gao, Saveur, 31 Jan. 2024
See all Example Sentences for fava bean
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fava bean.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near fava bean
Cite this Entry
“Fava bean.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fava%20bean. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
fava bean
noun
fa·va bean
ˈfä-və- 
Medical Definition
fava bean
noun
fa·va bean
ˈfäv-ə-
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share