egg

1 of 3

noun

ˈeg How to pronounce egg (audio)
ˈāg
often attributive
1
a
: the hard-shelled reproductive body produced by a bird and especially by the common domestic chicken
also : its contents used as food
b
: an animal reproductive body consisting of an ovum together with its nutritive and protective envelopes and having the capacity to develop into a new individual capable of independent existence
c
: ovum
2
: something resembling an egg
3
: person, sort
a good egg
eggless adjective
eggy
ˈe-gē How to pronounce egg (audio)
ˈā-
adjective

Illustration of egg

Illustration of egg
  • 1 shell
  • 2 outer shell membrane
  • 3 inner shell membrane
  • 4 air space
  • 5 chalaza
  • 6 albumen or white layers
  • 7 yolk layers
  • 8 blastodisc
  • 9 vitelline membrane

egg

2 of 3

verb (1)

egged; egging; eggs

transitive verb

: to incite to action
usually used with on

egg

3 of 3

verb (2)

egged; egging; eggs

transitive verb

1
: to cover with egg
2
: to pelt with eggs
Phrases
egg on one's face
: a state of embarrassment or humiliation

Examples of egg in a Sentence

Noun The egg will hatch about 10 days after it is laid. the smell of rotten eggs I bought a carton of eggs. a batter made from flour and egg The egg is fertilized by the sperm. Verb (1) though exhausted, I was egged on by spectators to finish the marathon
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
That’s because rats that stow away on vessels can quickly populate and overrun remote islands, devastating bird populations by eating eggs, chicks or even adults and upending once-vibrant ecosystems. Becky Bohrer, Chicago Tribune, 22 Sep. 2024 Solitary bees, bumble bees, moths, and butterflies—whether as eggs, pupae, or adults—often use the leaf layer for warmth and protection during the cold winter months. Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Sep. 2024
Verb
But far-right activist Laura Loomer was on the plane ride to the debate with him, egging him on. Axios, 12 Sep. 2024 Haddish then said that Paris started egging her on as well. Hedy Phillips, Peoplemag, 11 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for egg 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'egg.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English egge, from Old Norse egg; akin to Old English ǣg egg, Latin ovum, Greek ōion

Verb (1)

Middle English, from Old Norse eggja; akin to Old English ecg edge — more at edge

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1833, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of egg was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near egg

Cite this Entry

“Egg.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/egg. Accessed 5 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

egg

1 of 2 verb
: to incite to action : urge
usually used with on
egged us on to fight

egg

2 of 2 noun
1
a
: a hard-shelled reproductive body produced by a bird and especially by domestic poultry
also : its contents used as food
b
: a reproductive body produced by an animal and consisting of an ovum with its food-containing and protecting envelopes and being capable of development into a new individual
c
: a germ cell produced by a female

called also ovum

2
: something shaped like an egg
darning egg
Etymology

Verb

Old Norse eggja "to incite"

Noun

Middle English egge "egg," from early Norse egg (same meaning)

Medical Definition

egg

noun
1
: the hard-shelled reproductive body produced by a bird and especially by the common domestic chicken (Gallus gallus)
2
: an animal reproductive body consisting of an ovum together with its nutritive and protective envelopes and having the capacity to develop into a new individual capable of independent existence
3
: ovum

More from Merriam-Webster on egg

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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