yolk

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

Examples of yolk in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Meanwhile, peel the eggs and score the whites of the eggs lengthwise about 5 times around each egg, being careful not to cut too deep and hit the yolk. —Shirley Parameswaran, Bon Appetit Magazine, 19 Mar. 2026

In a stand mixer, beat the eggs and egg yolks with the sugar on high speed until the mixture turns light yellow, is smooth and quadruples in volume. —Mary Ann Esposito, Boston Herald, 18 Mar. 2026

Black Diamond caviar was scooped onto mini blinis with your choice of toppings, including crème fraîche, chives, onions, and egg yolks and whites. —Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 16 Mar. 2026

Transfer the yolks to a large bowl, then place the egg whites on a platter in a single layer cut-side up. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Mar. 2026

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

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