egg

1 of 4

noun

ˈeg 

ˈāg

often attributive

1

a

: 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

eggless adjective

eggy

ˈe-gē 

ˈā-

adjective

see also:

egg on one's face lay an egg

Illustration of egg

• 1 shell
• 2 outer shell membrane
• 3 inner shell membrane
• 4 air space
• 5 chalaza
• 6 albumen or white layers
• 7 yolk layers
• 8 blastodisc
• 9 vitelline membrane

egg

2 of 4

verb (1)

egged; egging; eggs

transitive verb

: to incite to action

—usually used with on

egg

3 of 4

verb (2)

egged; egging; eggs

transitive verb

1

: to cover with egg

2

: to pelt with eggs

egg on one's face

4 of 4

phrase

: a state of embarrassment or humiliation

Synonyms of egg

Noun

• person
• man
• life
• guy
• creature
• bird
• duck
• fish

Verb (1)

• urge
• encourage

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.

Verb (1)

though exhausted, I was egged on by spectators to finish the marathon

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Containing egg whites, tomato slices, spinach, aged white cheddar cheese and avocado, the sandwich clocks in at 410 calories and 21 grams of protein, according to Consumer Reports. — Sadie Chafe, FOXNews.com, 1 Nov. 2026

In the egg-yolk yellow kitchen, a fresh loaf of sourdough was sitting pretty on the chopping board for us; organic eggs and marmalade on the counter; Daylesford butter, bacon, and rosé in the fridge. — Sarah James, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Nov. 2026

Verb

Vandals also targeted the building in September, and Collins said her Bangor home was egged that month. — Justin Papp,caleigh Keating,garrett Downs,kevin Breuninger,dan Mangan, CNBC, 3 Nov. 2026

But season 3 was at its best when Lorelai and Rory were just being their charming selves, eating four Thanksgiving dinners, devil-egging Jess’ car, and making their famous pro-con lists to decide where Rory should go to college. — Janey Tracey, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1834, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrase

1964, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing egg

• bad egg
• chicken-and-egg
• curate's egg
• dropped egg
• easter egg
• egg and dart
• egg case
• egg cell
• egg cream
• egg-drop soup
• egg foo yong
• egg foo young
• egg foo yung
• egg mayonnaise
• egg on
• egg on one's face
• egg roll
• egg timer
• egg tooth
• good egg
• goose egg
• lay an egg
• nest egg
• Scotch egg
• the goose that lays the golden egg
• thunder egg
• with egg on one's face

Rhymes for egg

• beg
• clegg
• keg
• leg
• legg
• meg
• neg
• peg
• reg
• blackleg
• bootleg
• foreleg

Kids Definition

egg

1 of 2 verb

ˈeg 

: to incite to action : urge

—usually used with on

egged us on to fight

egg

2 of 2 noun

1

a

: a hard-shelled reproductive body produced by a bird and especially by domestic poultry

also : its contents used as food

b

: a reproductive body produced by an animal and consisting of an ovum with its food-containing and protecting envelopes and being capable of development into a new individual

c

: a germ cell produced by a female

called also ovum

2

: something shaped like an egg

darning egg

Etymology

Verb

Old Norse eggja "to incite"

Noun

Middle English egge "egg," from early Norse egg (same meaning)

Medical Definition

egg

noun

ˈeg, ˈāg 

1

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

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