yak

1 of 4

noun (1)

plural yaks also yak
: a large long-haired wild or domesticated ox (Bos grunniens synonym Poephagus grunniens) of Tibet and adjacent elevated parts of central Asia

Illustration of yak

Illustration of yak
  • 1yak

less common variant of yuk entry 1

1
slang : laugh
did it just for yuks
2
slang : joke, gag

yak

3 of 4

verb

variants or less commonly yack
yakked also yacked; yakking also yacking

intransitive verb

: to talk persistently : chatter

yak

4 of 4

noun (3)

variants or less commonly yack
: persistent or voluble talk

Examples of yak in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The same asymmetry exists in the Himalayan Highlands, where wild yaks – a critically important species for Tibetan people – are estimated to number perhaps 15,000 to 20,000, compared with 14 million domestic yaks. Discover Magazine, 5 July 2024 When a team of scientists—accompanied by yaks and yak wranglers—traveled nearly four miles above sea level to the Guliya Glacier in northwest Tibet in 2015, their goal was to look back in time. Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Sep. 2024 For instance, some rabbits are skittish and only want to be admired from afar, and a few Tibetan yaks that were rescued from a meat farm aren’t quite ready to mingle with guests. Graham Averill, Outside Online, 19 Aug. 2024 None of these options work well for dealing with wild progenitors of species such as yaks and camels. Discover Magazine, 5 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for yak 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'yak.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Tibetan (Lhasa dialect) yaʔ (spelled gyag)

Verb

probably imitative

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1795, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1949, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1950, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of yak was in 1795

Dictionary Entries Near yak

Cite this Entry

“Yak.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yak. Accessed 10 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

yak

noun
ˈyak
plural yaks also yak
: a large long-haired wild or domesticated ox of Tibet and nearby elevated parts of central Asia

More from Merriam-Webster on yak

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