yucca

noun

yuc·​ca ˈyə-kə 

1

: any of a genus (Yucca) of sometimes arborescent plants of the asparagus family that occur in warm regions chiefly of western North America and have long sword-shaped often stiff fibrous-margined leaves on a usually woody base and bear a large panicle of white blossoms

2

: cassava

Illustration of yucca

Examples of yucca in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Artango Bar & Steakhouse will be offering a $60 three-course meal, with options including ceviche nikkei, bife de chorizo and flan, while Bar Tabu will serve a $45 five-course meal, with options including chips and salsa, yucca fries, surf and turf flautas, asada tacos and churro bites. —Zareen Syed, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2025

At least two rustic doors open into the private central courtyard, where yucca plants sit alongside a stone pathway. —Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 26 June 2025

As for succulents, Paggi singles out red yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora) for its towering pinkish-red flower wands on display at this time of year. —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 7 June 2025

Signature dishes include corn and yucca arepas filled with local cheese and guacamole, and tortillas wrapped in hoja santa leaves topped with mole sauce. —Michaela Trimble, Vogue, 28 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Spanish yuca, of unknown origin

First Known Use

1664, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for yucca

• plica
• pucca

Kids Definition

yucca

noun

yuc·​ca ˈyək-ə 

: any of a genus of plants that are related to the agaves, grow in warm dry regions mostly of western North America, have long pointed often stiff leaves, and produce a tall stiff stalk with whitish flowers