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 How about winter squash, plantains, yams or carrots? Daniela Galarza, Washington Post, 15 Feb. 2024 Learn how to make double mustard greens and roasted yam soup, sweet cornmeal-coconut butter drop biscuits, and so much more with this innovative cookbook that highlights the complex flavors and storytelling aspect of African-American and Southern cuisine with an emphasis on healthy ingredients. L. Daniela Alvarez, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Feb. 2024 The Instagram crowd seems fascinated with the La Souffle Pancakes as well as the Ube Pancakes with purple yam, ube-coconut sauce and fresh mixed berries. John Metcalfe, The Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2024 That might include bread made from yam and fonio (an ancient grain), beef served with eggplant tartare, or a palm oil and sweet-potato purée. Alicia Erickson, Travel + Leisure, 27 Dec. 2023 Sweet potatoes and candied yams are two different plants, but sweet potatoes are sometimes mistakenly labeled or called yams. Pam Lolley, Southern Living, 10 Nov. 2023 Consider the jerk pork tenderloin with pureed yams, an elegant dish that could easily be served on white linen. Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, 26 Jan. 2024 The purple color comes from ube, a sweet yam native to Southeast Asia that’s widely used in Filipino cooking. Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2023 While yams and pumpkins were available and the English had already begun a Christmas turkey tradition, turkeys didn't really hit the table until the '80s in France and Monaco. Peter Mikelbank, Peoplemag, 14 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'yam.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near yam

Cite this Entry

“Yam.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yam. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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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