soybean
soybean Lexical Profile
soybean Game Scores & Validity
• noun
North American The highly nutritious, protein-rich seed of the soybean plant, widely consumed directly or processed into tofu, soy sauce, vegetable oil, and animal feed.
"The farmer devoted fifty acres to growing soybeans to take advantage of the high market price for crop oil."
A bushy, leguminous plant (Glycine max) native to East Asia, cultivated globally for its edible seeds and its agricultural value in fixing soil nitrogen.
"Crop rotation often alternates corn with the soybean, as the latter naturally replenishes nutrients in the soil."
Word Nuance & Usage
In North American English, 'soybean' is the standard term, whereas British and Commonwealth English typically favor 'soya bean'.
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in the late 19th century as a compound of 'soy' (derived from the Japanese 'shōyu' via Dutch 'soya') and the English word 'bean'.