yolk

[ yohk, yohlk ]

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.

yolk

/ jəʊk /

noun

1. the substance in an animal ovum consisting of protein and fat that nourishes the developing embryo vitelline
2. a greasy substance secreted by the skin of a sheep and present in the fleece

yolk

/ 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.

Derived Forms

• ˈyolkless, adjective
• ˈyolky, adjective

Other Words From

• yolked adjective
• yolkless adjective
• yolky adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of yolk¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of yolk¹

Old English geoloca, from geolu yellow

Example Sentences

Just a few weeks ago Illinoisian Chelsea Curry reported a cardinal the color of an egg yolk at her feeder.

From Popular-Science

Gradually incorporate about half of the milk mixture, then pour the egg yolk mixture into the pot and whisk to combine.

From Washington Post

This works well to cook the egg all of the way through while keeping it soft, but it also causes the yolk to film over, hiding its beautiful glow.

From Washington Post

Other websites recommend a similar technique sans ice that produces slightly closer results to what I want, but I’ve found that there’s a small window for perfection where the film doesn’t start to creep up over the yolk.

From Washington Post

It is made with several egg yolks and baked one painstaking layer at a time.

From Eater

Separate egg yolk and whites, add chocolate powder to egg whites and whisk.

From The Daily Beast

Add the eggs, yolk, crème fraîche, and vanilla paste and whisk until smooth.

From The Daily Beast

Pour milk-and-egg yolk mixture into large bowl of flour and whisk.

From The Daily Beast

There, in the windows of a doomed Borders bookstore, egg-yolk yellow signs shout EVERYTHING MUST GO!

From The Daily Beast

Separate an egg and season the yolk with grated long pepper.

From The Daily Beast

The yolk will cook hard, but the longer you boil the egg the softer the white becomes.

From Project Gutenberg

Stir into it half a wineglassful of brandy and an egg, the white and yolk beaten to a froth.

From Project Gutenberg

The upper side of the egg is dark, the light-colored side being weighted down with a supply of yolk (food).

From Project Gutenberg

If the fertilized egg of a hen be broken and carefully examined, on the surface of the yolk will be found a little circular disk.

From Project Gutenberg

For a delicate digestion the white only should be given, with salt; it can be easily separated from the yolk.

From Project Gutenberg