1
or chiefly British soya
: soybean
Products that contain isoflavones—and are commonly called phytoestrogens—come from plants and legumes (such as soy), and show promise for decreasing hot flashes and may improve cholesterol.—Michelle P. Warren
Producing meat in this ever-more crowded world requires creating new pastures and planting more land for imported feeds, particularly soy, instead of relying on local grazing.—The New York Times
—often used before another nounsoy milk
soy protein
a soy latte [=a latte made with soy milk]
2
: a food product made from or containing soy beans: such as
a
: soy sauce
Roy Choi, the Los Angeles restaurateur, advises sneaking a pat of butter and a splash of soy into instant ramen.—Sam Sifton
Cite this Entry
“Soy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soy. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.
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