soya bean

/ˌsɔɪ(ə) bin/

Other forms: soya beans

Definitions of soya bean

1. noun

   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)
   synonyms: soy, soya, soybean

   types:

   field soybean

   seeds used as livestock feed

   type of:

   bean, edible bean

   any of various edible seeds of plants of the family Leguminosae used for food
2. noun

   erect bushy hairy annual herb having trifoliate leaves and purple to pink flowers; extensively cultivated for food and forage and soil improvement but especially for its nutritious oil-rich seeds; native to Asia
   synonyms: Glycine max, soja, soja bean, soy, soya, soybean, soybean plant

   type of:

   legume, leguminous plant

   an erect or climbing bean or pea plant of the family Leguminosae
3. noun

   a source of oil; used for forage and soil improvement and as food
   synonyms: soy, soybean

   type of:

   bean

   any of various seeds or fruits that are beans or resemble beans