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
"Farmers plant soy in the spring because this Asian herb produces nutrient-dense seeds that improve their soil while yielding valuable oil."
A common East Asian liquid sauce, made by subjecting boiled beans to long fermentation and then long digestion in salt and water.
"The chef prepared a savory marinade using soy to season the grilled tofu."
In plain English: Soy is an edible bean that people often eat as tofu, milk, or meat substitutes because it's high in protein and healthy fats.
"I added some soy to my stir-fry for extra flavor."
Usage: Soy refers specifically to the fermented bean paste used as a condiment or ingredient rather than soy milk or tofu. It is often confused with similar-looking pastes like miso due to its dark color, but it has a distinct salty flavor profile derived from long fermentation in salt and water.
The word soy actually comes from the French words for silk and was originally used to describe a soft, silky fabric rather than the legume we know today. It entered English through trade routes where this material was highly valued before its meaning shifted entirely over time.