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

In a separate bowl, combine 3 tablespoons melted unsalted butter, ½ cup ricotta, ¾ cup whole milk, and 1 egg yolk, then stir into the dry ingredients. — Carole Kotkin, Miami Herald, 16 June 2026

They are found in foods such as egg yolks, soybeans, wheat germ, peanuts, and liver. — James Powel, USA Today, 15 June 2026

When Rob Mango moved into a loft on Duane Street in 1977, his neighbors were Richard Serra and dairy-and-egg wholesalers with warehouse floors coated in yolks and grime. — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 10 June 2026

The color of the yolk can range from pale yellow to bright orange, and is an indication of a hen's diet rather than freshness. — Michelle Darrisaw, Southern Living, 10 June 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