yolk

1 of 2

noun

ˈyōk 

ˈyelk

(in cultivated speech, especially Southern US), 

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 

ˈyel-

(in cultivated speech, especially Southern US), 

also ˈyōl-, 

ˈyȯl-, 

ˈyäl-, 

ˈyəl-

adjective

yolky

2 of 2

adjective

-kē 

-er/-est

1

: relating to, resembling, or containing yolk

2

[probably alteration of (assumed) Middle English yoky, from Old English ēowocig, from (assumed) Old English ēowoca yolk (of wool) + Old English -ig -y] : full of yolk : greasy

—used of unwashed wool

Examples of yolk in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Since then, raw egg yolks, pickle brine, cumin seeds, six-packs of Coke, and greasy breakfast sandwiches have all been credited with easing our post-drinking ailments. — Shayla Love, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026

Savory ham, Swiss cheese, egg yolks, and a sharp mustard round out this joyful, winky nod to the croquier madame sandwich, naturallement. — The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026

The gooey burst of yolk welcomes all guests to a wonderfully delicious and decadent meal. — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026

In this recipe, the sauce is made by beating egg yolks while slowly adding oil, along with onion, parsley, garlic, pepper, and vinegar. — Lauren David, Travel + Leisure, 22 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

Adjective

yolk + -y

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing yolk

• yolk sac
• yolk stalk

Rhymes for yolk

• bloke
• boeck
• broke
• choke
• cloak
• cloke
• croak
• folk
• hoke
• joke
• moke
• oak

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