soy

noun

ˈsȯi 

1

or chiefly British soya

ˈsȯi-ə 

: soybean

Products that contain isoflavones—and are commonly called phytoestrogens—come from plants and legumes (such as soy), and show promise for decreasing hot flashes and may improve cholesterol.

—Michelle P. Warren

Producing meat in this ever-more crowded world requires creating new pastures and planting more land for imported feeds, particularly soy, instead of relying on local grazing.

—The New York Times

—often used before another noun

soy milk

soy protein

a soy latte [=a latte made with soy milk]

2

: a food product made from or containing soy beans: such as

a

: soy sauce

Roy Choi, the Los Angeles restaurateur, advises sneaking a pat of butter and a splash of soy into instant ramen.

—Sam Sifton

b

: tofu, bean curd

In this narrow slice of a restaurant, house-made fried tofu in three flavors … draws crowds for good reason: The shop renders soy into cubes as light and fluffy as scrambled eggs.

—Washingtonian

Examples of soy in a Sentence

His book promotes the health benefits of soy.

The recipe calls for two tablespoons of soy.

Recent Examples on the Web

Phytoestrogens are present in foods such as soy products, flaxseeds, and legumes.6 Research among postmenopausal women has shown that a low-fat vegan diet with daily soybeans may be able to reduce or even completely eliminate mild, moderate, and severe hot flashes.6 3. —Sarah Jividen, Health, 15 Feb. 2025

Plain Greek yogurt or dairy-free yogurt made with soy or peas can be a great source of protein. —Lauren Panoff, Mph, Rd, Verywell Health, 10 Feb. 2025

Each recipe, the release adds, features essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants and are free from grains, gluten, carrageenan, corn, soy, artificial colors and flavors, preservatives and animal byproducts. —Nicholas Rice, People.com, 8 Feb. 2025

The products were recalled due to undeclared milk, soy, wheat, sesame, synthetic dye, and almonds that could lead to allergic reactions, according to an announcement the company shared through the FDA. —Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Japanese shōyu

First Known Use

1696, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing soy

• soy milk
• soy sauce

Rhymes for soy

• boy
• choy
• coy
• croy
• foy
• hoi
• hoy
• joy
• loy
• oy
• ploy
• toy

Kids Definition

soy

noun

ˈsȯi 

1

: soy sauce

2

: soybean