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

Ube lattes, syrups, and cold foams are just a few of the ways the yam is incorporated into coffee recipes. — Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Aug. 2026

The empire also expanded the yam, an extended network of postal and supply stations along major trade routes. — Ethan Teekah, Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Aug. 2026

Ube is a Filipino purple yam with mild sweetness and a vivid purple color. — Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 6 Aug. 2026

His mother was a dark-skinned granddaughter of Saint Ann’s enslaved whose peasant kin farmed dasheen and yams. — Literary Hub, 5 Aug. 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