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yam

[ ˈyam]

yam

noun

[ˈyam]

Definition of yam

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

Recent Examples on the Web

//Sides include candied yams, greens, and mac and cheese.
— Carol Deptolla, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Big Daddy's BBQ and Soul Food is popping up at 29th and Villard," 15 Nov. 2019
//The wish list includes apples, broth, quick bread mixes, canned yams, nuts, pie filling, rolls, gravy, squash, monetary donations and grocery store cards.
— courant.com, "Community News For The Putnam-Killingly Edition," 11 Nov. 2019
//Characters carry on conversations about preparing stockfish and pounded yam and pepper their dialogue with non-English words.
— Robyn Bahr, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Bob Hearts Abishola': TV Review," 23 Sep. 2019
//The women selling yams on the roadside were entrepreneurs.
— USA Today, "Were Wanda Tucker’s ancestors America’s first slaves? A difficult search for answers in far-away Angola," 22 Aug. 2019
//Scooptopia’s halo-halo comes layered with jellies, purple yam ice cream and topped with flan.
— Priscilla Totiyapungprasert, azcentral, "Pizza, poke and steak: These 12 restaurants opened in metro Phoenix in August," 2 Sep. 2019
//Who in their right mind would give this vulgar talking yam this kind of power?
— Charles P. Pierce, Esquire, "Trump's Latest Voter Suppression Plan Smells Dictatorial," 12 Mar. 2018
//Meanwhile, Meyer’s veggie-forward menu has something for everyone, like roasted baby yams with passion fruit, hearts of palm and scallion salsa verde.
— Joseph Hernandez, Condé Nast Traveler, "What to Do in Chicago Labor Day Weekend 2019," 23 Aug. 2019
//The sides, also sold separately ($4.25 each), include baked macaroni and cheese, soft candied yams, collard greens (weekend-only) and other soul food classics.
— Louisa Chu, chicagotribune.com, "First look at DJ Khaled’s The Licking soul food restaurant in Chicago, where fried lobster is the go-to order," 2 July 2019

First Known Use of yam

1657, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for yam

earlier iname, from Portuguese inhame & Spanish ñame, of African origin; akin to Fulani nyami to eat

Dictionary Entries near yam

More Definitions foryam

yam

noun

English Language Learners Definition of yam

: a long, thick root of a tropical plant that has rough brown skin and usually white or yellow flesh and that is eaten as a vegetable

yam

noun

\ ˈyam \

Kids Definition of yam

1 : the starchy thick underground tuber of a climbing plant that is an important food in many tropical regions

2 : a sweet potato with a moist and usually orange flesh