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Definition of hyacinth bean
hyacinth bean
Plural:hyacinth beans
• noun
1
A vigorously climbing tropical vine (Lablab purpureus) in the legume family, native to sub-Saharan Africa and cultivated extensively in tropical regions for its striking purple flowers and edible pods.
Example
"We planted a hyacinth bean along the garden trellis to provide a vibrant splash of purple foliage throughout the summer."
2
The edible pod or seed of the Lablab purpureus vine, commonly utilized as a food source in South Asian, African, and Caribbean cuisines after being thoroughly boiled.
Example
"The chef prepared a traditional vegetable curry featuring tender hyacinth beans and a rich blend of aromatic spices."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for hyacinth bean• Nearby Words
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Hyacinth bean. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/hyacinth-bean