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

The lingcod is perfectly cooked and swimming in a broth with eggplant, roasted celtuce, and yam leaves. —Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 16 June 2026

Some villagers sat in the shade of towering fig trees, while others planted yams or dug the soil with tree branches. —Literary Hub, 11 June 2026

How to Soften an Avocado in the Microwave Microwaving softens the tissue of the avocado through heat, much like microwaving a potato or a yam, says Bryan Quoc Le, a food scientist and food consultant. —Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 2 June 2026

Visitors help the staff dig and build a traditional imu underground with volcanic rocks, banana stumps, ti leaves and burlap sacks, and then fill the pit with mea ʻai staples like kālua pork, chicken, taro, yams and breadfruit. —Joe Yogerst, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026

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

Rhymes for yam

• am
• bam
• cham
• clam
• damme
• damn
• dram
• flam
• fram
• gram
• ham
• jam

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