yucca

noun

yuc·​ca ˈyə-kə How to pronounce yucca (audio)
1
: any of a genus (Yucca) of sometimes arborescent plants of the agave family that occur in warm regions chiefly of western North America and have long sword-shaped often stiff fibrous-margined leaves on a usually woody base and bear a large panicle of white blossoms
2

Illustration of yucca

Illustration of yucca

Examples of yucca in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The reservoir was low, the yucca plants were going to seed, and discarded Starbucks cups blew across the road like tumbleweed. Maya Binyam, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024 Look for a modern approach to Cuban cuisine that incorporates twists such as cauliflower mash and yucca gnocchi, paella and craft cocktails. Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2024 Look for a modern approach to Cuban cuisine that incorporates twists such as cauliflower mash and yucca gnocchi. Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 16 Feb. 2024 Hike through the Chihuahuan Desert and spot the Southwestern barrel cactus, ocotillo, yucca, and other plants. Amanda Ogle, Travel + Leisure, 25 Jan. 2024 There are sages, agaves and aloes, along with marrow, buckwheat and yucca. Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Jan. 2024 There is still lechón, rice, black beans and yucca but the portions are much more manageable. Jessica Perez, Los Angeles Times, 22 Dec. 2023 The trees, part of the agave family and also sometimes called yucca palms, are hardy and adapted to the dry, rocky landscape of inland California. Liz Kreutz, NBC News, 13 Dec. 2023 Hundreds of bird species have been spotted there, enjoying a landscape of cacti, yucca and fan palms. Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'yucca.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Spanish yuca, of unknown origin

First Known Use

1664, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of yucca was in 1664

Dictionary Entries Near yucca

Cite this Entry

“Yucca.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yucca. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

yucca

noun
yuc·​ca ˈyək-ə How to pronounce yucca (audio)
: any of a genus of plants that are related to the agaves, grow in warm dry regions mostly of western North America, have long pointed often stiff leaves, and produce a tall stiff stalk with whitish flowers

More from Merriam-Webster on yucca

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