: 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
(in cultivated speech, especially Southern US)ˈyel-
also ˈyōl-
ˈyȯl-
ˈyäl-
ˈyəl-
adjective
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the WebMolds showcasing various designs are used, including rabbits and flowers, and flavors range from traditional egg yolk and lotus to Earl Grey, strawberry yogurt, and pecan with dates. Megha Mcswain, Chron, 7 Sep. 2022 Gradually whisk egg yolk mixture into remaining sugar mixture in saucepan. Jacques Pépin, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Aug. 2022 Stir a dollop of whites into the yolks to lighten them, then carefully but thoroughly fold the yolk mixture into the whites, taking care not to deflate them. Carol Deptolla, Journal Sentinel, 27 July 2022 The distinctive airy texture comes from separating the egg whites from the yolk and whipping them into a stiff meringue before folding them back into the chocolate batter. Foren Clark, CNN, 30 May 2022 The menu includes brioche with an egg yolk mousse and black truffle, salsify soup with shimeji mushrooms and a choice of roasted pork loin or poached sturgeon. Rick Nelson, Star Tribune, 29 Jan. 2021 Add whole eggs, egg yolk and vanilla, beating until combined, 1 minute. People Staff, PEOPLE.com, 30 July 2022 The spaghetti alla carbonara$16) with bacon, onions, egg yolk and parmesan cheese achieves the requisite creaminess without the addition of cream at all. John Mariani, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2021 Next on the grill are eggs cracked into metal rings, ensuring a perfectly round, over-medium egg that’s guaranteed to pop and release the yolk into each sandwich. Cesar Hernandez, San Francisco Chronicle, 28 June 2022 See More
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
Time Traveler
The first known use of yolk was before the 12th century