soy sauce
noun
variants
or less commonly soy
or chiefly British soya sauce
: a brown, salty liquid that is made by subjecting soybeans and roasted grain (such as wheat) to long fermentation in brine and is used especially in Asian cooking and as a condiment
At its most basic, soy sauce is a fermented liquid made from soybeans and wheat. Soybeans contribute a strong, pungent taste, while wheat lends sweetness.—
Lisa McManus
Lisa McManusMy most recent kick has been Chinese. For more than a year now I've been stir-frying everything in ginger and garlic and adding soy sauce.—Andrew A. Rooney
see shoyu
Andrew A. RooneyExamples of soy sauce in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Thai seasoning sauce or soy sauce ½ tsp.
—Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 25 Dec. 2025
In a small bowl, whisk together the sauce ingredients – brown sugar, fish sauce, tamarind, and soy sauce.
—Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 24 Dec. 2025
There are even some savory notes that pop, like sweet and sour barbecue and a bit of umami soy sauce, but these are evened out by sweeter and spicier flavors like vanilla, black pepper, and honey.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 22 Dec. 2025
Left Arrow Right Arrow The viral carrot ribbon salad is made with sesame oil, rice wine vinegar, sesame seeds, green onions, grated garlic, soy sauce and chili crisp oil.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for soy sauce
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 25 Dec. 2025
In a small bowl, whisk together the sauce ingredients – brown sugar, fish sauce, tamarind, and soy sauce.
—Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 24 Dec. 2025
There are even some savory notes that pop, like sweet and sour barbecue and a bit of umami soy sauce, but these are evened out by sweeter and spicier flavors like vanilla, black pepper, and honey.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 22 Dec. 2025
Left Arrow Right Arrow The viral carrot ribbon salad is made with sesame oil, rice wine vinegar, sesame seeds, green onions, grated garlic, soy sauce and chili crisp oil.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for soy sauce
Cite this Entry
“Soy sauce.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soy%20sauce. Accessed 31 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share