The term "bean" has several meanings, depending on its context.
1) In a general sense, it refers to any plant from the family Fabaceae and some of its subfamilies, which are characterized by having seeds enclosed in pods or legumes. These plants include various types such as soybeans, peas, lentils, chickpeas, among others.
2) In a culinary context, "bean" usually refers to any of several varieties of edible seeds or legumes that are commonly used in cooking, including kidney beans, navy beans, pinto beans, and many more. These are often used as ingredients in dishes such as soups, stews, salads, and casseroles.
3) In a colloquial sense, "bean" can also refer to any small or insignificant thing, especially when used in the phrase "not worth a bean," meaning that something is valueless or of no importance.