YAM Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

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yam

[yam]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

the starchy, tuberous root of any of various climbing vines of the genus Dioscorea, cultivated for food in warm regions.
any of these plants.
the sweet potato.
Scot.��potato.

yam

/ ��æ�� /

noun

any of various twining plants of the genus Dioscorea, of tropical and subtropical regions, cultivated for their edible tubers: family Dioscoreaceae
the starchy tuber of any of these plants, which is eaten as a vegetable
any of certain large varieties of sweet potato
a former Scot name for the (common) potato

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51�Թ� 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 ε��ã�� “flesh”); earlier English forms, from Portuguese inhame or Spanish (��)ñ��

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of yam¹

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

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Thanksgiving, for all its excess, is not a particularly textural meal—pillowy mashed potatoes, velvety gravy, candied yams collapsing under their own syrup.

From

Making the traditional dough-like dish fufu, for example, is laborious and involves pounding cooked yams or cassava into a paste with a mortar.

From

Their fried chicken, mac and cheese and candied yams are consistently spectacular.

From

It was a journey full of hardships - including selling water and yams at the roadside as a six-year-old.

From

The Ogbuagu feasted on traditional dishes such as goat meat pepper soup, nsala soup - made from catfish - pounded yam and palm wine.

From

Yalu Yama

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