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Definition of cannellini bean
cannellini bean
Plural:cannellini beans
cannellini bean Lexical Profile
CEFR
B2
Grade
7
Tier
2
Usage
Top 10k
• noun
1
A large, white kidney bean of Italian origin, widely used in Mediterranean cuisine for its smooth, meaty texture and nutty flavor.
Example
"She simmered the cannellini beans with garlic, fresh rosemary, and a drizzle of olive oil to make a traditional Tuscan side dish."
Word Nuance & Usage
Frequently substituted with Great Northern or navy beans in recipes, though cannellini beans are notably larger, meatier, and retain their shape better during prolonged cooking.
Word Origin & Etymology
The word 'cannellini' is borrowed from Italian, originally serving as the diminutive plural of 'cannello' (meaning tube or pipe). It is paired with the native Old English word 'bean'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Cannellini bean. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 15, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/cannellini bean