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

Among Brazil’s top exports to the country are soybeans, followed by corn, sugar, and other agricultural products. —Chad De Guzman, Time, 13 Jan. 2026

The body was composed of material derived from soybeans, wheat and corn, which allegedly made it 30% lighter than the traditional metal cars at the time. —Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 13 Jan. 2026

For example, edamame (soybeans), black beans, and kidney beans are all excellent sources of magnesium. —Jennifer Lefton, Verywell Health, 7 Jan. 2026

Studies in Minnesota have shown Kernza can absorb 96% more nitrate from soils than soybeans and corn. —Cami Koons, Iowa Capital Dispatch, 6 Jan. 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
• amine
• arene
• athene
• baleen
• beeline
• benzene
• between

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