yolk

noun

ˈyōk How to pronounce yolk (audio)
(in cultivated speech especially Southern US) ˈyelk,
 also  ˈyōlk,
ˈyȯlk,
ˈyälk,
ˈyəlk
variants or less commonly yoke
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 How to pronounce yolk (audio)
ˈyelkt
 (in cultivated speech, especially Southern US) 
 also  ˈyōlkt
ˈyȯlkt
ˈyälkt
ˈyəlkt
adjective
yolky
ˈyō-kē How to pronounce yolk (audio)
(in cultivated speech, especially Southern US) ˈyel-
 also  ˈyōl-
ˈyȯl-
ˈyäl-
ˈyəl-
adjective

Examples of yolk in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Top with lattice, trimming to fit. Whisk together egg yolk and remaining cream; brush over pastry. Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 30 Nov. 2024 Large egg yolks: Binds the dough with extra richness. Micah A Leal, Southern Living, 30 Nov. 2024 In a separate bowl, whisk together egg yolks, cream, vanilla and cinnamon/sugar mixture; pour into a shallow dish. Kathryn Gregory, The Courier-Journal, 31 Oct. 2024 They’re enriched with egg yolks and butter and turn out big and soft — and tangy with the help of a little sourdough starter. Betty Hallock, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for yolk 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of yolk was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near yolk

Cite this Entry

“Yolk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yolk. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

yolk

noun
ˈyōk How to pronounce yolk (audio)
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
: material stored in an ovum that supplies food to the developing embryo and consists chiefly of proteins, lecithin, and cholesterol

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