yolk

play

noun \ˈyōk, ˈyelk (in cultivated speech, especially Southern US), also ˈyōlk, ˈyȯlk, ˈyälk, ˈyəlk\

variants: or less commonly

yoke

\ˈyōk\

Definition of yolk

1a : 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 illustrationb archaic : the whole contents of an animal ovum consisting of a protoplasmic formative portion and an inert nutritive portionc : 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

play \ˈyōkt, ˈyelkt (in cultivated speech, especially Southern US), also ˈyōlkt, ˈyȯlkt, ˈyälkt, ˈyəlkt\ adjective

yolky

play \ˈyō-kē, ˈyel- (in cultivated speech, especially Southern US), also ˈyōl-, ˈyȯl-, ˈyäl-, ˈyəl-\ adjective

See yolk defined for English-language learners

See yolk defined for kids

Recent Examples of yolk from the Web

While mixture is heating, in a large bowl, whisk together yolks and sugar until smooth.

— nancy miller, The Courier-Journal, "Cuvee Wine Table 'a perfect fit' for chef de cuisine", 4 July 2017
Add egg, egg yolk and vanilla and beat to combine, scraping down sides of bowl.

— karen elizabeth watts, kansascity, "Cold-brew coffee is a hot hot hot trend, and you can make it yourself", 3 July 2017
Add egg yolk, 1/3 cup sugar and 3 tablespoons flour.

— terri milligan, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Individual Puff Pastry Fruit Tarts", 3 July 2017
F. Using a large bowl whisk Key lime juice, yolks, granulated sugar, lemon juice and salt until smooth. 2.

— claire perez, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Old Key Lime House's pie is a favorite", 30 June 2017
Tips + Tricks: **For a firmer yolk, cook the eggs up to 12 minutes in the hot boiling water. **Save leftover romesco to use as a veggie-dipper, sandwich-topper and pasta sauce throughout the week.

— cooking with caitlin, Cincinnati.com, "Cooking with Caitlin: A gourmet twist on your deviled eggs", 29 June 2017
Combine the egg yolks, 4 tablespoons water, vinegar, lemon juice, salt and cayenne pepper in a food processor; puree until smooth and well blended.

— bonnie s. benwick, charlotteobserver, "A great crab cake is all about the crab", 27 June 2017
The creamy egg yolk runs out and douses the burger stack, making the messy creation even more enticing.

— AL.com, "12 essential Birmingham burgers", 20 June 2017
A nest of celery root chips top a bevy of shrimp that can be stirred with lush egg yolk.

— lauren delgado, OrlandoSentinel.com, "First bite: New menu at Four Seasons' Capa", 31 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'yolk'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of yolk

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

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First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

Other Food Terms

Reuben, calamari, chuck, curry, edamame, foie gras, hummus, leaven, nonpareil, peel

YOLK Defined for English Language Learners

yolk

play

noun

Definition of yolk for English Language Learners

: the yellow part in the center of an egg

YOLK Defined for Kids

yolk

play

noun \ˈyōk\

Definition of yolk for Students

: the yellow inner part of the egg of a bird or reptile containing stored food material for the developing young

History for yolk

The word yolk goes back to Old English geoloca (a spelling that seems less strange when you know that ge- in Old English could stand for the sound /y/). Geoloca, in turn, is a derivative of geolu, the ancestor of our word yellow. This makes perfect sense given the color of a yolk, but changes in pronunciation over the course of centuries no longer make the relationship of the words obvious.