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

Writing in his journal, Cook noted that the Rapanui grew sweet potatoes, yams, taro, plantains, and sugarcane, all of which his crew had eaten elsewhere in the Pacific. —Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026

The islanders kept chickens and grew taro, yams, sugarcane, sweet potatoes, and bananas. —Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026

Vang said the main cultural flavors at MochiUnni will be coconut, pandan (a tropical plant to produce a sweet, vanilla-like aroma) and ube (similar to sweet potato and a purple yam). —Cathy Kozlowicz, jsonline.com, 23 Jan. 2026

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

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