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

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

Red miso soup adds comfort, then there’s a buttery miso pudding and castella tamago, a sponge cake made from just three ingredients — tiger prawn, egg and Japanese mountain yam. —John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 24 Dec. 2025

True yams, on the other hand, are starchy, fibrous, and pale, and won't deliver the right texture or flavor. —Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 22 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