sweet potato

noun

1
: a tropical vine (Ipomoea batatas) of the morning-glory family that is often grown for its edible tuberous root or for its ornamental variously shaped green to purple leaves and usually white to pinkish funnel-shaped flowers with pink to purple centers
also : the large thick sweet and nutritious tuberous root of the sweet potato that has beige, yellow, orange, red, or purple flesh and is cooked and eaten as a vegetable compare yam sense 2
2

Examples of sweet potato in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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From savory sweet potato pierogis to oxtail soup dumplings, these little pockets of dough are primed to take both social media and the freezer aisle by storm. Rai Mincey, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2024 Get the Recipe 10 of 12 October: Sweet Potato Casserole Who says sweet potato casserole can only be served on Thanksgiving day? Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 27 Dec. 2024 Dietary options: Carb-conscious, gluten-free, high-protein, keto, Mediterranean, paleo, pescatarian, vegan, vegetarian Meal examples: Caribbean-spiced tilapia with mango salsa; beef and sweet potato taco skillet; harvest salad with chicken and bacon Cost: Meals start at $13 per serving. Sara Coughlin, SELF, 23 Dec. 2024 The high-end holiday meal includes a 38-ounce New York strip steak ($195 per person) with a side of sweet potato casserole ($19). Bradley Hohulin, The Indianapolis Star, 20 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sweet potato 

Word History

First Known Use

1750, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sweet potato was in 1750

Dictionary Entries Near sweet potato

Cite this Entry

“Sweet potato.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sweet%20potato. Accessed 7 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

sweet potato

noun
1
: a tropical vine related to the morning glories and having variously shaped leaves and purplish flowers
also : its large sweet starchy root that is cooked and eaten as a vegetable
2

More from Merriam-Webster on sweet potato

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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