soy sauce

noun

variants or less commonly soy or chiefly British soya sauce

: a brown, salty liquid that is made by subjecting soybeans and roasted grain (such as wheat) to long fermentation in brine and is used especially in Asian cooking and as a condiment

At its most basic, soy sauce is a fermented liquid made from soybeans and wheat. Soybeans contribute a strong, pungent taste, while wheat lends sweetness.

—Lisa McManus

My most recent kick has been Chinese. For more than a year now I've been stir-frying everything in ginger and garlic and adding soy sauce.

—Andrew A. Rooney

see shoyu

Examples of soy sauce in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The sauce—made with miso, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and a dollop of mayo—doubles as both a marinade for the chicken and finishing drizzle. —The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 6 Feb. 2026

Japanese radish is pan-fried in soy sauce until golden brown in this comforting side. —Chihiro Tomioka, Saveur, 5 Feb. 2026

Briny notes—think olives, capers, and anchovies—bring depth, while umami-rich ingredients like mushrooms, aged cheeses, miso, and soy sauce add a satisfying savoriness that lingers. —Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Feb. 2026

Made with soy sauce, ginger, rice wine, and finished with scallions, this soup is bursting with rich flavor. —Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 4 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1775, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for soy sauce

• across
• backcross
• crisscross
• lacrosse
• recross
• tomas
• albatross
• applesauce
• barabbas
• helios
• kshatriyas
• blas

Kids Definition

soy sauce

noun

: a brown sauce made from soybeans and used especially in Chinese and Japanese cooking