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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Along with smothered baked chicken, the smothered turkey tips, candied yams and pinto beans and rice might also hit the spot. Keith Pandolfi, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 That same day, Sharon went to the African food shop on Kilburn High Road and bought many more yams than usual, boiled them, mashed them, and ate them with everything for months. Zadie Smith, New Yorker, 30 June 2025 Antioxidant-rich wild yam root extract also makes an appearance to provide anti-inflammatory benefits—exactly what sensitive and acne-prone skin types need to soothe redness, swollen cystic acne, and everything in between. Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 4 Apr. 2025 Participants toss the ingredients — shredded vegetables like carrots, daikon radish, yams, cucumber and pickled ginger, along with raw fish — with chopsticks as high as possible while expressing good wishes for the new year. Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 19 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for yam

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of yam was in 1657

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Yam.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yam. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

yam

noun
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

More from Merriam-Webster on yam

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