soybean

noun

soy·​bean ˈsȯi-ˌbēn 

variants or chiefly British soya bean

ˈsȯi-ə- 

: a hairy annual Asian legume (Glycine max) widely grown for its oil-rich proteinaceous seeds and for forage and soil improvement

also : its seed

Illustration of soybean

Examples of soybean in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In 2020, a massive storm called a derecho struck Iowa, producing hurricane-force winds and flattening over 10 million acres of corn and soybean fields. — Derek Norman, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

Bob has really firsthand experienced the impact of some of these tariffs like other soybean farmers. — Dana Taylor, USA Today, 21 July 2026

Edamame Edamame are young, immature soybeans harvested early. — Eleesha Lockett, Verywell Health, 17 July 2026

The update removes cattle hides, skins and leather from the scope of regulation, along with re-treaded tires, soybeans for sowing, articles of vulcanized rubber, conveyor and transmission belts, and aircraft and automobile seats. — Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 16 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1795, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing soybean

• soybean oil

Rhymes for soybean

• agin
• alkene
• allene
• ameen
• amin
• arene
• athene
• baleen
• beeline
• benzene
• between
• bromine

Kids Definition

soybean

noun

soy·​bean ˈsȯi-ˈbēn 

-ˌbēn

: a hairy annual Asian plant of the legume family widely grown for its edible seeds rich in oil and proteins, as food for livestock, and for soil improvement

also : its seed

Medical Definition

soybean

noun

soy·​bean ˈsȯi-ˌbēn 

variants also soya bean

: a hairy annual Asian legume (Glycine max) grown for its oil-rich proteinaceous seeds and for forage and soil improvement

also : its seed