1. The most highly proteinaceous vegetable known; the fruit of the soybean plant is used in a variety of foods and as fodder (especially as a replacement for animal protein)
   "She made a stir-fry using firm tofu made from soybeans";
   - soy, soya, soya bean
    
2. Edible legume plant widely cultivated for its protein-rich beans and oil
   "Farmers rotated corn with soybeans to improve soil fertility";
   - soy, soya, soya bean, soybean plant, soja [rare], soja bean [rare], Glycine max
    
3. A source of oil; used for forage and soil improvement and as food
   "Farmers rotated their crops with soybeans to improve soil fertility";
   - soy, soya bean

Derived forms: soybeans

Type of: bean, edible bean, legume, leguminous plant

Part of: genus Glycine, Glycine, soy, soy flour, soy sauce, soybean flour, soybean meal

Encyclopedia: Soybean