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

Set in 11th-century Singapore, the film follows a demigod born from a yam root, abandoned by his worshippers after the arrival of a mysterious, shipwrecked beast. —Marcus Lim, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026

Set in 11th-century Singapore, the story revolves around a demigod born from a yam who is ritually fed upon by villagers. —Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 17 Mar. 2026

Sweet potato casseroles have remained a constant on Thanksgiving sideboards in the South, but candied yams have fallen to the wayside for many. —Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2026

Scallops, for example, come cured in a chilli, annatto and coconut cream, and tiramisu turns an Instagrammable shade of violet with blueberries and purple yam. —The Week Uk, TheWeek, 12 Mar. 2026

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