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

Interestingly, the quantum dot functioned as an effective pest repellent against adult sweet potato whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci). — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 4 Aug. 2026

Annuals like coleus, which comes in countless stripes, polka dots, and trims—and sweet potato vine can fill out containers and bare spots left by spring bloomers in borders. — Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Aug. 2026

Our beef tenderloin was tender indeed, served with boniato - Japanese sweet potato - and miso butter. — Connie Ogle july 31, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026

Coconut and sweet potato soup with cinnamon dumplings and wagyu beef fillets are decorated with edible flowers and foaming sauces—the experience is as much of a feast for the eyes as the tastebuds. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 July 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