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

In addition to the myriad of options on the standard menu, guests in the know will sometimes order dishes like kimchi pork belly, which is stir-fried and topped with fresh green onions; or pork gyoza, crispy dumplings served with tangy soy, vinegar, and chili garlic dipping sauce. —Lennie Omalza, The Courier-Journal, 3 Sep. 2025

Meanwhile, other long-term trials have reported no change in menopausal symptoms or bone loss rate when taking soy supplements. —Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, Flow Space, 3 Sep. 2025

Check the Honey Balsamic Salad Kit in your fridge before opening it—especially if someone in your household has a soy or sesame allergy. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 2 Sep. 2025

Coconut aminos are gluten-free and soy-free, so this vegan recipe is useful for people with common allergies. —Bethany Thayer, Freep.com, 31 Aug. 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