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Definition of bean sprout
bean sprout
Plural:bean sprouts
bean sprout Lexical Profile
CEFR
B1
Grade
4
Tier
2
Usage
Top 10k
• noun
1
The tender, edible shoot of a germinated bean, typically a mung bean or soybean, commonly used in cooking for its mild flavor and crisp texture.
Example
"The chef garnished the steaming bowl of pho with fresh basil, jalapeños, and a handful of crisp bean sprouts."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for bean sproutWord Origin & Etymology
A transparent compound formed from 'bean' and 'sprout', referring specifically to the germinated shoots of beans (most commonly mung beans or soybeans) historically cultivated and consumed in East Asian cultures.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Bean sprout. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 14, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/bean sprout