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

In the post, the Reddit user described how their grandmother had purchased a $130 pre-cooked Thanksgiving meal from a grocery store that included turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, green bean casserole, candied yams, and two pies. —Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2025

For example, a purchase of brown sugar and yams comes with a free package of Kraft mini marshmallows. —Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 27 Nov. 2025

By the time the yams were glossy and tender, the whole kitchen felt warmer, calmer, connected. —Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 26 Nov. 2025

Turkey, macaroni and cheese, collard greens, yams, stuffing or dressing—these are the stars of the show on the Thanksgiving table. —Essence, 26 Nov. 2025

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