: 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
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
Drop your fava beans into the briny brew, cook for one minute, and drain.
—Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 16 Feb. 2024
That means ingredients such as fava beans, rice and peas factor heavily into their Passover meals.
—Leah Koenig, Washington Post, 31 Mar. 2023
One man set up a makeshift stand selling fava beans and falafel — without bread — but most families didn’t have money for that.
—Hannah Allam, Washington Post, 23 Dec. 2023
The fava beans sort of mimic the shape of the orecchiette too, nestling neatly in the pasta’s curves as if they’re meant to be there.
—Ben Mims, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2023
These mini zucchini pancakes pack a protein punch, thanks to their earthy fava bean puree base.
—Sofia Andrade, Washington Post, 22 July 2023
According to a representative for the company, the vegan cheese sauce contains fava bean protein and coconut oil powder.
—Antonia Debianchi, Peoplemag, 29 Nov. 2023
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
Drop your fava beans into the briny brew, cook for one minute, and drain.
—Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 16 Feb. 2024
That means ingredients such as fava beans, rice and peas factor heavily into their Passover meals.
—Leah Koenig, Washington Post, 31 Mar. 2023
One man set up a makeshift stand selling fava beans and falafel — without bread — but most families didn’t have money for that.
—Hannah Allam, Washington Post, 23 Dec. 2023
The fava beans sort of mimic the shape of the orecchiette too, nestling neatly in the pasta’s curves as if they’re meant to be there.
—Ben Mims, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2023
These mini zucchini pancakes pack a protein punch, thanks to their earthy fava bean puree base.
—Sofia Andrade, Washington Post, 22 July 2023
According to a representative for the company, the vegan cheese sauce contains fava bean protein and coconut oil powder.
—Antonia Debianchi, Peoplemag, 29 Nov. 2023
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.
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“Fava bean.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fava%20bean. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
fava bean
noun
fa·va bean
ˈfä-və- 
Medical Definition
fava bean
noun
fa·va bean
ˈfäv-ə-
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