soybean
n. countable B1 Intermediate US //ˈsɔɪˌbin// UK //sˈɔɪbiːn// soy·bean
n. a small bean from a plant that is used to make many types of food, like milk, oil, and tofu.
n. the edible seed of a leguminous plant, Glycine max, widely cultivated for its high protein and oil content.
The farmer harvests the soybean crop in the autumn.
Many meat alternatives use soybean protein as a base because it has a texture similar to chicken or beef.
Global trade in the soybean has expanded rapidly as emerging economies demand more high-protein animal feed and vegetable oil for their growing populations.
From soy + bean.
Usage
Often used in the singular as a collective noun or as a modifier before another noun (e.g., 'soybean oil').