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yam

noun \ˈyam\

: 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

Full Definition of YAM

: 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

: a moist usually orange-fleshed sweet potato

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Origin of YAM

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

First Known Use: 1657

Rhymes with YAM

bam, cam, clam, cram, dam, damn, drachm, dram, DRAM, flam, gam, gram, ham, Ham, jam, jamb, lam, lamb, ma'am, pram, ram, RAM, Sam, SAM, scam, scram, sham, slam, spam, tam, tram, wham

YAM Defined for Kids

yam

noun \ˈyam\

Definition of YAM for Kids

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

: a sweet potato with a moist and usually orange flesh

Learn More About YAM

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "yam"

Nglish: Translation of "yam" for Spanish speakers

Britannica English: Translation of "yam" for Arabic speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about "yam"

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