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

Her South American sensibility means breads are made with flours like quinoa, cassava, and sweet potato, which gives them a delightful chewiness. — Luke Pyenson, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Nov. 2026

Canned sweet potato works, though the bread will be a touch less flavorful. — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026

Grab a spicy piña con loca cocktail and indulge in skirt steak, fish or sweet potato tacos, tuna and beef tostadas or beef fat potatoes. — Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Nov. 2026

Readers put pecan, pumpkin, apple, and sweet potato pies at the heart of Thanksgiving. — Krissy Tiglias, Southern Living, 3 Nov. 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