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

Agimat Ube Cream Liqueur turns the famous purple yams into a silky, sweet liqueur that’s a treat over ice or as a dessert cocktail base. —Ching Dee, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026

The restaurant also serves bowls, salads and sides like chicken karaage and tempura purple yam. —Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 14 Jan. 2026

The Southern-cuisine specialist famous for its chicken, mac and cheese and sweet yams closed its ghost kitchen, and then in February 2025, the Venice restaurant also shuttered. —Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2025

As for food, Wilson recommends collard greens, sautéed kale, cabbage and candied yams as other great side pairings for your mac. —Sara Moniuszko, USA Today, 27 Dec. 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