yam

[yam]

noun

1. the starchy, tuberous root of any of various climbing vines of the genus Dioscorea, cultivated for food in warm regions.

2. any of these plants.

3. the sweet potato.

4. Scot.,  potato.

yam

/ jæm /

noun

1. any of various twining plants of the genus Dioscorea, of tropical and subtropical regions, cultivated for their edible tubers: family Dioscoreaceae

2. the starchy tuber of any of these plants, which is eaten as a vegetable

3. any of certain large varieties of sweet potato

4. a former Scot name for the (common) potato

Word History and Origins

Origin of yam¹

First recorded in 1580–90; compare Gullah nyam, Jamaican English nyaams, Sranan jamsi, from sources in one or more West African languages (compare Wolof nyam (nyam), Fulani nyami “to eat,” Twi εnãm “flesh”); earlier English forms, from Portuguese inhame or Spanish (i)ñame

Word History and Origins

Origin of yam¹

C17: from Portuguese inhame, ultimately of West African origin; compare Senegal nyami to eat

Example Sentences

The store was on Rye Lane, a lively high street where Caribbean grocers stack yams next to beauty and phone repair shops.

Read more on BBC

The pomegranates, squash and apples were in season, pink guavas were so ripe you could smell their heady scent from a distance, and nutrient-packed yams were ready for the holidays.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Mountain yam, bamboo pith and shoots, lotus seeds and gorgon fruit, which Yin says “looks like chickpeas, and tastes like tapioca,” all appear on his menu, too.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The result -- 30 tonnes of yams and cassava per hectare, compared to the typical five.

Read more on Barron's

I ordered my usual: fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, candied yams and a biscuit slathered in grape jelly butter.

Read more on Salon