soybean

noun

soy·​bean ˈsȯi-ˌbēn 

variants or chiefly British soya bean

ˈsȯi-ə- 

: a hairy annual Asian legume (Glycine max) widely grown for its oil-rich proteinaceous seeds and for forage and soil improvement

also : its seed

Illustration of soybean

Examples of soybean in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Citing unnamed officials The Washington Post claimed over $340 million worth of U.S. food aid, including what, rice and soybeans, is currently stuck due to the new president's executive order on foreign aid. —Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025

Edamame Edamame are immature green soybeans high in protein, fiber, iron, vitamin C, and calcium. —Jamie Johnson, Verywell Health, 6 Feb. 2025

That includes about 33,000 metric tons of soybeans and soy products used to treat severe malnutrition in East Africa and other regions, according to Gena Perry, who leads a human health program for the American Soybean Association, an industry trade group. —Suzy Khimm, NBC News, 5 Feb. 2025

This lightweight chemical sunscreen leaves behind no greasiness or white cast, and offers antioxidant benefits with ginseng root extract and soybean extract. —R29 Team, refinery29.com, 29 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1795, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing soybean

• soybean oil

Kids Definition

soybean

noun

soy·​bean ˈsȯi-ˈbēn 

-ˌbēn

: a hairy annual Asian plant of the legume family widely grown for its edible seeds rich in oil and proteins, as food for livestock, and for soil improvement

also : its seed

Medical Definition

soybean

noun

soy·​bean ˈsȯi-ˌbēn 

variants also soya bean

: a hairy annual Asian legume (Glycine max) grown for its oil-rich proteinaceous seeds and for forage and soil improvement

also : its seed