egg

noun, often attributive

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\ ˈeg

, ˈāg \

Definition of egg

(Entry 1 of 3)

1a : the hard-shelled reproductive body produced by a bird and especially by the common domestic chicken also : its contents used as food

b : an animal reproductive body consisting of an ovum together with its nutritive and protective envelopes and having the capacity to develop into a new individual capable of independent existence

c : ovum

2 : something resembling an egg

3 : person, sort a good egg

egg on one's face

: a state of embarrassment or humiliation

egg

verb (1)

egged; egging; eggs

Definition of egg (Entry 2 of 3)

transitive verb

: to incite to action —usually used with on

egg

verb (2)

egged; egging; eggs

Definition of egg (Entry 3 of 3)

transitive verb

1 : to cover with egg

2 : to pelt with eggs

Other Words from egg Synonyms More Example Sentences Phrases Containing egg Learn More About egg

Examples of egg in a Sentence

Noun The egg will hatch about 10 days after it is laid. the smell of rotten eggs I bought a carton of eggs. a batter made from flour and egg The egg is fertilized by the sperm.

History and Etymology for egg

Noun

Middle English egge, from Old Norse egg; akin to Old English ǣg egg, Latin ovum, Greek ōion

Verb (1)

Middle English, from Old Norse eggja; akin to Old English ecg edge — more at edge

Learn More About egg

From the Editors at Merriam-Webster

Dictionary Entries Near egg

EGF

egg

egg and dart

Statistics for egg

Cite this Entry

“Egg.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/egg. Accessed 28 Jun. 2022.

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More Definitions for egg

egg

noun

\ ˈeg

, ˈāg \

Kids Definition of egg

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : an oval or rounded body surrounded by a shell or membrane by which some animals (as birds, fish, insects, and reptiles) reproduce and from which the young hatches out

2 : egg cell

3 : the contents of the egg of a bird and especially a chicken that is eaten as food

egg

verb

egged; egging

Kids Definition of egg (Entry 2 of 2)

: to urge or encourage to do usually something foolish or dangerous … he'd been calling the snake off, not egging it on …— J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

egg

noun

\ ˈeg, ˈāg

Medical Definition of egg

1 : the hard-shelled reproductive body produced by a bird and especially by the common domestic chicken (Gallus gallus)

2 : an animal reproductive body consisting of an ovum together with its nutritive and protective envelopes and having the capacity to develop into a new individual capable of independent existence

3 : ovum