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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The egg seizures are outpacing border officials' interception of fentanyl. Brittney Melton, NPR, 28 Mar. 2025 Grand Patio Rocking Outdoor Papasan Chair Imagine curling up with a good book in this comfy outdoor rocking chair with a body-hugging egg shape design and plush padded cushion. Maggie Horton, People.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
The shocking spike in egg prices may mark the final blow to an age-old tradition: egging someone's house. Nathan Bomey, Axios, 20 Mar. 2025 The first act speeds through one evening right toward one big family dinner, with Jacobs-Jenkins egging expectations along the way. Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 17 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for egg

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Egg.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/egg. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

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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