sweet potato

noun

1

: a tropical vine (Ipomoea batatas) of the morning-glory family that is often grown for its edible tuberous root or for its ornamental variously shaped green to purple leaves and usually white to pinkish funnel-shaped flowers with pink to purple centers

also : the large thick sweet and nutritious tuberous root of the sweet potato that has beige, yellow, orange, red, or purple flesh and is cooked and eaten as a vegetable compare yam sense 2

2

: ocarina

Examples of sweet potato in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Costco’s twisted churro was removed from the chain’s food court menus much to the chagrin of its customers, just like what happened to the Chick-Fil-A chicken salad sandwich, the Little Debbie Apple Flips, and Cracker Barrel’s sweet potato pancakes. — Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2026

The restaurant also offers sweet potato, red velvet and peach cobbler waffles, along with sides such as yams, rice and beans, waffle fries and collard greens. — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 16 Sep. 2026

The ingredient list stops at organic sweet potato, a nutrient-dense pick that happens to be in season now. — Danielle Bouchard, Martha Stewart, 15 Sep. 2026

Purple Sweet Potato Pie Puffs Inspired by the savory-sweet flavor of sweet potato pie, these chips are airy, puffy, and lightly crunchy all at once. — Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1750, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sweet potato

• adagio
• altiplano
• arapaho
• arapahoe
• fortissimo
• manifesto
• minangkabau
• oregano
• ostinato
• pistachio
• politico
• portfolio

Kids Definition

sweet potato

noun

1

: a tropical vine related to the morning glories and having variously shaped leaves and purplish flowers

also : its large sweet starchy root that is cooked and eaten as a vegetable

2

: ocarina