Yam

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /jæm/
• Rhymes: -æm

From Portuguese inhame and Spanish ñame, possibly from the Fula nyami ("to eat"). The term was coined in 1657.

Full definition of yam

Noun

1. (botany) Any climbing vine of the genus Dioscorea in the Eastern and Western hemispheres, usually cultivated
2. The edible, starchy, tuberous root of that plant, a tropical staple food.
3. (US) A sweet potato; a tuber from the species Ipomoea batatas.
4. (Scotland) Potato.

Usage notes

Careful use distinguishes yams (genus Dioscorea) from sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas), while casual American use conflates these.

Derived terms

• Chinese yam
• purple yam
• wild yam
• yamless

Noun

1. (West Cumbria) home.

Anagrams

• Amy, May, may, MYA, Mya, mya