yolk

noun

ˈyōk 

ˈyelk (in cultivated speech especially Southern US)

also ˈyōlk, 

ˈyȯlk, 

ˈyälk, 

ˈyəlk

variants or less commonly yoke

ˈyōk 

1

a

: the yellow spheroidal mass of stored food that forms the inner portion of the egg of a bird or reptile and is surrounded by the white see egg illustration

b

archaic : the whole contents of an animal ovum consisting of a protoplasmic formative portion and an inert nutritive portion

c

: material stored in an animal ovum that supplies food to the developing embryo and consists chiefly of proteins, lecithin, and cholesterol

2

[akin to Middle Dutch ieke yolk (of wool), Old English ēowu ewe] : oily material in unprocessed sheep wool consisting of wool fat, suint, and debris

yolked

ˈyōkt 

ˈyelkt

(in cultivated speech, especially Southern US), 

also ˈyōlkt, 

ˈyȯlkt, 

ˈyälkt, 

ˈyəlkt

adjective

yolky

ˈyō-kē 

ˈyel- (in cultivated speech, especially Southern US)

also ˈyōl-, 

ˈyȯl-, 

ˈyäl-, 

ˈyəl-

adjective

Examples of yolk in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

When smooth, gradually stir in egg yolk mixture and cook, stirring constantly, over hot water until thick. —Indianapolis Star, IndyStar, 27 Feb. 2026

Compared to a regular cup of coffee, adding an egg yolk to your espresso may also provide a small nutritional boost. —Eleesha Lockett, Verywell Health, 27 Feb. 2026

Add the eggs one at a time, mixing just until incorporated, then add the egg yolks. —Monti Carlo, AJC.com, 27 Feb. 2026

In these cases, your best bet is to get vitamin D from foods such as fatty fish, egg yolks, and cheese, or a supplement. —Emma Loewe, Outside, 26 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English yolke, from Old English geoloca, from geolu yellow — more at yellow

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing yolk

• yolk sac
• yolk stalk

Rhymes for yolk

• bloke
• boeck
• broke
• choke
• cloak
• cloke
• croak
• folk
• hoke
• joke
• moke
• oak

Kids Definition

yolk

noun

ˈyōk 

ˈyelk

also ˈyōlk

1

: the yellow inner mass of stored food in the egg of a bird or reptile

2

: the material stored in an animal ovum that supplies food material to the developing embryo

Medical Definition

yolk

noun

ˈyōk 

: material stored in an ovum that supplies food to the developing embryo and consists chiefly of proteins, lecithin, and cholesterol