# soybean

/ˈsɔɪˌbin/ (US) · /sˈɔɪbiːn/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/soybean
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

a small bean from a plant that is used to make many types of food, like milk, oil, and tofu.

For teachers: the edible seed of a leguminous plant, Glycine max, widely cultivated for its high protein and oil content.

## Examples

- 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.

## Usage notes

- Often used in the singular as a collective noun or as a modifier before another noun (e.g., 'soybean oil').

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.