yam

noun

ˈyam 

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

Last year, Ube Chai ― a sweet, purple yam ice cream with hints of coconut and spiced chai ice cream ― won the contest, bringing it to Madison-area Chocolate Shoppes for a limited time this summer. —Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 12 Sep. 2024

Konjac, sometimes called snake palm, elephant yam, and voodoo lily, is commonly used to make low-calorie foods, such as noodles and fruit jellies. —Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Rdn, Ld, Health, 9 Sep. 2024

The golden ube Twinkie looks like the childhood snack, but opens up to reveal the characteristic color of the purple yam. —Ahmed Ali Akbar, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2024

Jordan Kahn’s Destroyer is making a Murasaki yam custard pie, glazed with a thin layer of black currant. —Bryan A’hearn, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

earlier iname, from Portuguese inhame & Spanish ñame, of African origin; akin to Fulani nyami to eat

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

yam

noun

ˈyam 

1

: 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