soybean

American  

[soi-been] / ˈsɔɪˌbin /

especially British, soya bean

noun

1. a bushy Old World plant, Glycine max, of the legume family, cultivated globally, with greatest productivity in the United States, where it is grown chiefly for forage and soil improvement.

2. the seed of this plant, used for food, as a livestock feed, and for a variety of other commercial uses.

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Etymology

Origin of soybean

First recorded in 1795–1805; soy + bean

Explanation

Prized for its high protein content and adaptable for many cooking and industrial products, the soybean is the most valuable member of the pea family. A legume native to Asia, the soybean is incredibly important, providing essential vegetable protein for millions of people around the world. Soybeans are transformed into various foods like tofu, soy milk, and soy sauce, making them a staple in the diets of people who do not or cannot eat animal protein. Beyond food, soybeans are used in animal feed and as ingredients in hundreds of chemical products, including biodiesel and plastics.

Example Sentences

A report released Wednesday by the American Farm Bureau Federation found that roughly $9.6 billion has already been distributed, with corn, wheat, and soybean producers accounting for 80% of payments.

From Salon • Apr. 25, 2026

The strips were then fried in soybean oil heated to 180 degrees Celsius.

From Science Daily • Apr. 2, 2026

Prices for corn and soybean futures didn’t move much on Tuesday as traders are already expecting fewer acres of corn and more soybeans this year.

From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026

The war is hitting Midwest farmers just as they enter the planting season for crops such as wheat, corn and soybean, and need to apply vast quantities of fertilizer.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 29, 2026

Week after week, I returned to Iowa, watching through the plane window as the seasons changed, as the earth slowly greened and the soybean and corn crops grew in ruler-straight lines.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama