Illustration of yucca
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
: cassava
Examples of yucca in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Prince’s plume, Harriman’s yucca, claret cup, prickly pear, and Parry’s biscuitroot can all be sighted among this Martian landscape.
—
Krista Simmons and J.d. Simkins, Sunset Magazine, 8 Mar. 2024
Keep an eye out for more blooming succulents like the yucca, cholla cactus, hedgehog cactus, beavertail cactus, and Mojave mound cactus.
—Joe Yogerst, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024
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
Krista Simmons and J.d. Simkins, Sunset Magazine, 8 Mar. 2024
Keep an eye out for more blooming succulents like the yucca, cholla cactus, hedgehog cactus, beavertail cactus, and Mojave mound cactus.
—Joe Yogerst, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024
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
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
Dictionary Entries Near yucca
Cite this Entry
“Yucca.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yucca. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
yucca
noun
yuc·ca
ˈyək-ə 
: 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
Nglish: Translation of yucca for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about yucca
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