soybean(n = noun.plant) glycine max, soja, soja bean, soy, soya, soya bean, soybean plant - 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; Array
soybean(n = noun.food) soy, soya, soya bean - 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); Array
An Asiatic leguminous herb (Glycine max, formerly Glycine Soja) the seeds of which (also called soy beans) are used in preparing the sauce called soy. Called also soya bean and soya. [1913 Webster]
the seeds of the Glycine max, which produce soybean oil; -- called also soya bean. [PJC]