yolk

American  

[yohk, yohlk] / yoʊk, yoʊlk /

noun

1. the yellow and principal substance of an egg, as distinguished from the white.

2. 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.

3. the essential part; the inner core.

4. a natural grease exuded from the skin of sheep.

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yolk British  

/ jəʊk /

noun

1. the substance in an animal ovum consisting of protein and fat that nourishes the developing embryo

2. a greasy substance secreted by the skin of a sheep and present in the fleece

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yolk Scientific  

/ yōk /

1. The yellow internal part of the egg of a bird or reptile. The yolk is surrounded by the albumen and supplies food to the developing young.

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Other Word Forms

• yolked adjective
• yolkless adjective
• yolky adjective

Etymology

Origin of yolk

before 1000; Middle English yolke, yelke, Old English geoloca, derivative of geolu yellow

Example Sentences

About 1,000 light years away in the constellation Cygnus, the nebula surrounds a hidden central star buried within a thick blanket of dust, resembling a glowing "yolk" inside a dark "egg white."

From Science Daily

Poking a hole in the yolk, he watched the yellow goo ooze across his plate.

From Literature

A drizzle of soy sauce, a scatter of scallions, and always — always — some lemon zest, which cuts through the yolk’s richness and, once blended, produces what my brain now registers as lazy hollandaise.

From Salon

The eggs they lay have rich, bright orange yolks.

From Literature

Foods that provide choline include beef liver, egg yolks, beef, chicken, fish, soybeans and milk, among others.

From Science Daily