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

: ocarina

Examples of sweet potato in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Cauliflower-Broccoli Tajine with Hearts of Palm Rice Bold flavors popular in Morocco — ginger, garlic, saffron, cumin and other spices, as well as lemon pieces — simmer with the broccoli, cauliflower and sweet potato. —Yakir Levy, Oc Register, 2 Apr. 2025

Baked Chicken with Roasted Sweet Potatoes: Preheat oven to 400° F. Toss 1 chicken thigh, ½ diced sweet potato, and broccoli florets with olive oil. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Apr. 2025

Highlights include small plates such as sweet potato with vegan parmesan and bigger ones like courgette and pistachio spaghetti. —Joanne Shurvell, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025

She is also known for her iconic sweet potato pies, as well as her home decorating and table-setting advice. —Britney Porter, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1750, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sweet potato

• adagio
• altiplano
• arapaho
• arapahoe
• manifesto
• medicago
• minangkabau
• oregano
• ostinato
• pistachio
• politico
• portfolio

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

: ocarina