yolk
Americannoun
-
the yellow and principal substance of an egg, as distinguished from the white.
-
Embryology. the part of the contents of the egg of an animal that enters directly into the formation of the embryo, together with any material that nourishes the embryo during its formation.
-
the essential part; the inner core.
-
a natural grease exuded from the skin of sheep.
noun
-
the substance in an animal ovum consisting of protein and fat that nourishes the developing embryo
-
a greasy substance secreted by the skin of a sheep and present in the fleece
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of yolk
before 1000; Middle English yolke, yelke, Old English geoloca, derivative of geolu yellow
Explanation
A yolk is the inner, yellow part of an egg. If you order eggs "sunny side up," those "suns" are the egg yolks. When a bird lays an egg that's fertilized and begins to grow into a baby bird, the yolk is the substance that nourishes the bird embryo. The eggs we eat have yolks too, but since they are unfertilized, these protein-rich yolks can be beaten into omelettes or mixed into cake batter. The Old English root of yolk, geolca, literally means "the yellow part."
Vocabulary lists containing yolk
Yellow
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
This Week in Words: Current Events Vocabulary for April 1–April 7, 2023
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
This Week in Words: Current Events Vocab for February 10–February 16, 2024
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Cardiff-based Yolk Recruitment said candidates were in a "position of control and power".
From BBC • Oct. 12, 2021
No, the former Silver Lake Yolk store will not become a drive-through Starbucks.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 13, 2019
The house is yet another collaboration for the plugged-in couple, who just opened At Yolk, a 10,000-square-foot arts space in Hyattsville’s warehouse district.
From Washington Post • Oct. 16, 2018
Other standouts include the sunny country blues-inspired tune “Broken Yolk in Western Sky,” and the John Lennon-ish singer-songwriter number, “Duncan, Where Have You Gone.”
From Time • Oct. 16, 2012
Then he said, “We just had brunch next door,” and he pointed to the Broken Yolk Café.
From "A Boy Called Bat" by Elana K. Arnold
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
