yam
UK: jæm | US: jæm
n. 1. The edible starchy tuber of a tropical vine, widely cultivated as food in warm climates.
n. 2. (colloquial, US) A sweet potato, though botanically distinct from true yams.
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The word "yam" originates from Portuguese "inhame" or Spanish "ñame," derived from West African languages (e.g., Wolof "nyami," meaning "to eat"). Introduced to English during the 16th–17th century via the transatlantic slave trade, it reflects the crop’s African origins and global spread. Unlike compound words, "yam" retains its indivisible form as a borrowed term.
Yams are a staple food in many West African cuisines.
She roasted yams with spices for a traditional dish.
In the U.S., orange-fleshed sweet potatoes are often mislabeled as yams.
The farmer harvested a bumper crop of yams this season.
Yam porridge is a popular comfort food in Nigeria.