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.

---

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”

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

In 1767, Bowen received a British patent for his method of producing soy sauce, a fermented condiment resembling the soy sauce already imported from Asia.

From Salon ● Sep. 13, 2026

Few sit down to a plate of soybeans, but soy is hiding in plain sight throughout the American diet.

From Salon ● Sep. 13, 2026

Soybean oil appears in salad dressings, mayonnaise, baked goods, infant formula, snacks and fried foods; soy lecithin emulsifies chocolate and bread; and soy protein fortifies energy bars, breakfast cereals and canned soup.

From Salon ● Sep. 13, 2026

Higher palm and soy oil prices more than offset declines in sunflower and rapeseed oils.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 2026

Katherine placed her chopsticks against the saucer containing her soy sauce and stared at him with something beyond frustration.

From "An Abundance of Katherines" by John Green