'soya bean' definitions:

Definition of 'soya bean'

From: WordNet
noun
A source of oil; used for forage and soil improvement and as food [syn: soy, soybean, soya bean]
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 [syn: soy, soya, soybean, soya bean, soybean plant, soja, soja bean, Glycine max]
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) [syn: soy, soybean, soya, soya bean]

Definition of 'soya bean'

From: GCIDE
  • Soybean \Soy"bean\ (soi"b[=e]n`), n.
  • 1. (Bot.) 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]
  • 2. the seeds of the Glycine max, which produce {soybean oil}; -- called also soya bean. [PJC]

Definition of 'soya bean'

From: GCIDE
  • Soybean \Soy"bean\ (soi"b[=e]n`), n.
  • 1. (Bot.) 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]
  • 2. the seeds of the Glycine max, which produce {soybean oil}; -- called also soya bean. [PJC]