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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The mighty sweet potato Vogue Beauty The biggest beauty stories, trends, and product recommendations. Veronica Cristino, Vogue, 10 Dec. 2024 According to the original poster, the couple made two turkeys, a ham, 20 pounds of mashed potatoes, two pans of stuffing and a sweet potato casserole for the festive meal. Raven Brunner, People.com, 4 Dec. 2024 Small gathering: Includes smoked ham or smoked turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, green beans, broccoli salad, dinner rolls, and dessert (fudge, pecan or sweet potato pie). Jenny Porter Tilley, The Courier-Journal, 25 Nov. 2024 The company is a supplier of frozen potato, sweet potato, appetizer and vegetable products to restaurants and retailers around the globe. Kenneth Squire, CNBC, 2 Nov. 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 21 Dec. 2024.

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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!