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

The other major allergens are tree nuts, eggs, fish, shellfish, peanuts, wheat, sesame and soybeans. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024

Some common foods that may cause allergies include peanuts, tree nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans), milk, eggs, wheat, sesame and soybeans. —Bethany Thayer, Detroit Free Press, 14 Dec. 2024

The country, which typically buys corn, soybeans and sorghum from the U.S., has been diversifying its sources and stocking up. —Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 10 Dec. 2024

The South American agricultural power sends mainly soybeans and other primary commodities to China, while the Asian giants sells it semiconductors, telephones, vehicles and medicines. —Greg McKenna, Fortune Asia, 20 Nov. 2024

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