Common bean production (Phaseolus vulgaris) is severely infested by weeds inEthiopia. Field experiments were conducted in 2012 and 2013 at Ambo University, Ethiopia, to determine the effect of pre-emergence herbicide s-metalachlor on weed dynamics and yield of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) in completely randomized block design with three replications. The field experiments were comprised of 5 treatments including s-metolachlor (dual gold) 1.00, 1.50 and 2.00 kg ha -1 , weed free and weedy check were used. The common bean in both years were infested with Amarathus hybridus L., Datura stramorium, Erucastrum arabicum Fisch and May, Galinsoga parviflora cav., Ipomea ariocarpa, Nicandra spps, Oxalis corniculate L., Oxalis latifolia L. and Polygonum nepalense Meisn. Among the treatments, hand weeding standard check and s-metolachlor at 2.00 kg ha -1 significantly reduced density and dry weight of weeds during 2012 and 2013 years. Moreover, hand weeding and s-metolachlor at 2.00 kg ha -1 significantly increased the plant height, number of pods per plant, and seeds per pod as compared to other treatments. The highest grain yield was recorded on hand weeding plot followed by s-metolachlor at the rate of 2.00 kgha -1 . However, no significant difference was observed between them, whereas, the lowest grain yield was recorded on untreated plot (weedy check). Weed infestation resulted in a caused-a-yield reduction of 72.5% and 63.5% in 2012 and 2013, respectively. Preemergence application of s -metolachlor at the rate of 2 kg ha -1 was found to be more effective in controlling weeds and increased the c yield in common bean.