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
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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Yam.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yam. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
yam
noun1
: 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
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