yolk

noun

ˈyōk 

(in cultivated speech especially Southern US) ˈyelk,

 also  ˈyōlk,

ˈyȯlk,

ˈyälk,

ˈyəlk

variants or less commonly yoke

ˈyōk 

1

a

: the yellow spheroidal mass of stored food that forms the inner portion of the egg of a bird or reptile and is surrounded by the white see egg illustration

b

archaic : the whole contents of an animal ovum consisting of a protoplasmic formative portion and an inert nutritive portion

c

: material stored in an animal ovum that supplies food to the developing embryo and consists chiefly of proteins, lecithin, and cholesterol

2

[akin to Middle Dutch ieke yolk (of wool), Old English ēowu ewe] : oily material in unprocessed sheep wool consisting of wool fat, suint, and debris

yolked

ˈyōkt 

ˈyelkt

 (in cultivated speech, especially Southern US) 

 also  ˈyōlkt

ˈyȯlkt

ˈyälkt

ˈyəlkt

adjective

yolky

ˈyō-kē 

(in cultivated speech, especially Southern US) ˈyel-

 also  ˈyōl-

ˈyȯl-

ˈyäl-

ˈyəl-

adjective

Examples of yolk in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But if the yolk is perfectly cooked, the white (also called the albumen) does not solidify completely. —Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Feb. 2025

Whisk the egg yolks and sugar in a large bowl until light in color. —Lynda Balslev, The Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2025

Compared to other methods, the cooking technique better preserved the levels of polyphenols, a naturally occurring compound inside the yolk that is proven to help fight inflammation. —Michelle Aslam, NPR, 8 Feb. 2025

Add yolks to a food processor with mayonnaise, mustard, spices and hot sauce. —Madalyn Mendoza, Axios, 6 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English yolke, from Old English geoloca, from geolu yellow — more at yellow

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing yolk

• yolk sac
• yolk stalk

Kids Definition

yolk

noun

ˈyōk 

ˈyelk,

 also  ˈyōlk

1

: the yellow inner mass of stored food in the egg of a bird or reptile

2

: the material stored in an animal ovum that supplies food material to the developing embryo

Medical Definition

yolk

noun

ˈyōk 

: material stored in an ovum that supplies food to the developing embryo and consists chiefly of proteins, lecithin, and cholesterol