1
: the edible starchy tuberous root of various plants (genus Dioscorea of the family Dioscoreaceae) used as a staple food in tropical areas
also
: a plant producing yams
2
: a moist usually orange-fleshed sweet potato
Examples of yam in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Two restaurants stand out: Yazoo Pass offers such items as chicken and sausage gumbo, shrimp and grits and a pork rib-eye with horseradish cream; Lil Sistas offers brisket sandwiches, smoked turkey legs, collard greens, yams and a slab of ribs.
—
Gqlshare, Orange County Register, 19 Feb. 2025
Charles Smith, 27, was arrested after videos were uploaded to Instagram and TikTok showed a man spreading bug spray on yams, lemons, chicken and other produce at the Walmart in Mesa, according to the Arizona Republic, part of the USA TODAY Network.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY, 26 Dec. 2024
These include white potatoes, sweet potatoes, yams, corn, beans, carrots, beets, turnips, and winter squashes.
5.
—Kathi Valeii, Verywell Health, 16 Oct. 2024
From noon to 8 p.m. everyday, customers line up at the cafeteria counter to feast on dishes like fried catfish, brisket, candied yams and cornbread.
—John Tuohy, The Indianapolis Star, 31 Dec. 2024
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Gqlshare, Orange County Register, 19 Feb. 2025
Charles Smith, 27, was arrested after videos were uploaded to Instagram and TikTok showed a man spreading bug spray on yams, lemons, chicken and other produce at the Walmart in Mesa, according to the Arizona Republic, part of the USA TODAY Network.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY, 26 Dec. 2024
These include white potatoes, sweet potatoes, yams, corn, beans, carrots, beets, turnips, and winter squashes.
5.
—Kathi Valeii, Verywell Health, 16 Oct. 2024
From noon to 8 p.m. everyday, customers line up at the cafeteria counter to feast on dishes like fried catfish, brisket, candied yams and cornbread.
—John Tuohy, The Indianapolis Star, 31 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for yam
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Cite this Entry
“Yam.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yam. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
yam
noun1
: an edible starchy root that is an important food in tropical areas
also
: a plant producing yams
2
: a sweet potato with moist usually orange flesh
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