soy

noun

ˈsȯi 

1

or chiefly British soya

ˈsȯi-ə 

: 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 noun

soy 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

b

: tofu, bean curd

In this narrow slice of a restaurant, house-made fried tofu in three flavors … draws crowds for good reason: The shop renders soy into cubes as light and fluffy as scrambled eggs.

—Washingtonian

Examples of soy in a Sentence

His book promotes the health benefits of soy.

The recipe calls for two tablespoons of soy.

Recent Examples on the Web

Wheat, soy and maize — high value crops for a lot of the world — will be especially badly affected, the study found. —Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 18 June 2025

The smell of something simmering on the stove—garlic, ginger, soy, or even the aroma of roasted chicken or vegetables. —Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 June 2025

Chef Phillip Frankland Lee’s bites will include tastes like Roasted Bone Marrow nigiri finished with soy, sea salt, and freshly grated wasabi on sharkskin – for a night that is sure to not only be delicious but full of creativity and excitement. —Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025

Soybean oil 1 gram of ALA per tablespoon Other soy products also contain some omega-3s, including firm tofu—0.7 grams per half-cup, according to the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. —Caroline Tien, SELF, 12 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Japanese shōyu

First Known Use

1696, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing soy

• soy milk
• soy sauce

Rhymes for soy

• boy
• choy
• coy
• croy
• foy
• hoi
• hoy
• joy
• loy
• oy
• ploy
• toy

Kids Definition

soy

noun

ˈsȯi 

1

: soy sauce

2

: soybean