yolk

noun

ˈyōk 

(in cultivated speech especially Southern US) ˈyelk,

 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 

(in cultivated speech, especially Southern US) ˈyel-

 also  ˈyōl-

ˈyȯl-

ˈyäl-

ˈyəl-

adjective

Examples of yolk in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Crack your eggs into a bowl, then suck up the yolk with the bulb. —Cody Godwin, USA TODAY, 6 Nov. 2024

Crispy seeded lavash, to scoop up lamb tartare with egg yolk and toum. —Anna Spiegel, Axios, 25 Oct. 2024

Add egg yolks, pumpkin puree, and vanilla; beat on low until just combined, about 30 seconds. —Melissa Gray, Southern Living, 16 Sep. 2024

Top with lattice, trimming to fit. Whisk together egg yolk and remaining cream; brush over pastry. —Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 30 Nov. 2024

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

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