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

The study also reported that, among the foods tested, the highest PAH levels were found in soybean oil, followed by duck meat and canola oil.

From Science Daily • May 22, 2026

Based on current soybean prices, that volume would be worth roughly $11 billion.

From Barron's • May 18, 2026

On 1 May, Japanese foodmaker Mizkan, which makes a popular fermented soybean snack, suspended sales of some of its products and raised prices for others due to a shortage of polystyrene containers.

From BBC • May 12, 2026

American farmers intend to plant 84.7 million soybean acres in 2026, up 4% from last year, according to a March report from the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026

“You will drink fresh milk from a bottle. No more stunted tins of condensed milk, no more homemade soybean milk,” I said.

From "Purple Hibiscus" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie