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.
That comes from foods like carrots, leafy greens, egg yolks, and mangoes. Sara Hussain, Vogue, 4 July 2025 Fatty fish like salmon, sardines and mackerel contain the most vitamin D3, while egg yolks, liver and red meat contain smaller amounts. Leslie Baumann, Miami Herald, 3 July 2025 Other options for getting vitamin D include taking supplements and eating fortified foods, oily fish, egg yolks, and beef liver. Sherri Gordon, Health, 30 June 2025 Keep the filling simple and classic with nothing more than egg yolks, mayonnaise, mustard, and relish. Peaches, plums, berries – cobblers are the ultimate addition to every summer dessert. Nellah Bailey McGough, Southern Living, 23 June 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Yolk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yolk. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.

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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