yolk

noun

ˈyōk 

(in cultivated speech especially Southern US) ˈyelk,

 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 

(in cultivated speech, especially Southern US) ˈyel-

 also  ˈyōl-

ˈyȯl-

ˈyäl-

ˈyəl-

adjective

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

By the time the boat passed the crowd, it would have been spattered with bright orange yolk, plus at least one very bright spot of red. —New York Times, 29 July 2022

Kingfisher’s beef tartare is a spicy and beautifully presented appetizer with rice crackers, toasted quinoa, pickled ramps, crispy shallots, chilies, cured egg yolk, lettuces and herbs (Golden Hill). —Pam Kragen Dec. 23, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Dec. 2022

In a large food processor, combine flour, milk, egg, egg yolk, salt, yeast mixture, and remaining 2 tablespoons sugar. —Bhg Test Kitchen, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Nov. 2022

And the cabbage was perfectly grilled — with lots of butter — and decorated with shredded egg yolk that resembled blossoms. —Jeanine Barone, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2022

Add egg, egg yolk, and vanilla, whisking until combined. —Morgan Hines, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2022

Scrape down sides of the bowl, add the whole egg, egg yolk and vanilla and beat again until smooth. —cleveland, 21 Nov. 2022

Ravioli and uvo, a ravioli with egg yolk in it, sometimes a duck egg. —Kristine M. Kierzek, Journal Sentinel, 25 July 2022

Tsukune, ground chicken formed in the shape of a drumstick and served with an egg yolk for dipping, is exceptional. —Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2022

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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

• yolk sac
• yolk stalk

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