soy

American  

[soi] / sɔɪ /

especially British, soya

noun

1. the soybean plant or its seeds.

   Soy is a major crop in Brazil.

2. a product or products made from soybeans.

   I'm vegetarian, so my main source of protein is soy.

3. soy sauce.

   Add about 2 tablespoons soy to the noodles.

4. soymilk.

   We use soy in our coffee instead of milk.

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adjective

1. made or derived from soybeans or soymilk.

   soy flour.

Etymology

Origin of soy

First recorded in 1690–1700; perhaps via Dutch or New Latin soya, soja, from Japanese shōyu, earlier siau-yu, from Middle Chinese, equivalent to Chinese jìngyóu “soybean oil”

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Explanation

Soy refers to both a plant and the protein-rich food made from its beans. You can drink soy milk, eat tofu, or use soy sauce to add flavor to your meals Soy refers to a high-protein vegetable that can be transformed into a variety of foods and products. From tofu, oil, and soy milk in the kitchen to biodiesel and plastics in industry, soybeans are incredibly adaptable. This makes soy not only a dietary staple for many but also a critical ingredient in numerous industrial applications. Its ability to serve both culinary and commercial purposes highlights its global economic importance.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

soy

Researchers in Japan have identified a promising possibility in LPC70, a compound derived from soy.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 18, 2026

"They want land to plant soy, to keep their cattle. We want land to survive, to plant; we want the land so we can take care of it," said Waty.

From Barron's ● Oct. 15, 2026

I whisked the eggs and cream with garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper, plus a little drizzle of soy sauce.

From Salon ● Sep. 22, 2026

Americans never needed to fall in love with tofu to become ravenous consumers of soy.

From Salon ● Sep. 13, 2026

My father is digging into the chow mein, which still sits in an oversize aluminum pan surrounded by little plastic packets of soy sauce.

From "The Joy Luck Club" by Amy Tan

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