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October 20, 2018 Word of the Day

yield /ˈjiːld/ verb
yield
/ˈjiːld/
verb

yields; yielded; yielding

The recipe yields twelve cupcakes.
The recipe yields twelve cupcakes.
Definition of YIELD

1 [+ object]

a : to produce or provide (something, such as a plant or crop)

  • The apple/peach trees yielded an abundant harvest.

  • This soil should yield good crops.

  • The seeds yield a rich oil.

b : to produce (something) as a result of time, effort, or work

  • New methods have yielded promising results in the field.

  • The studies yielded clear evidence.

— sometimes + up

  • Their research has yielded up some surprising results.

c : to produce (a profit, an amount of money, etc.)

  • The tax is expected to yield millions.

  • The bond yields seven percent annually.

2 [no object] : to agree to do or accept something that you have been resisting : to stop trying to resist or oppose something

  • After several hours of debate, the opposition yielded.

— often + to

  • The company refused to yield to the protesters' demands.

  • The architect yielded to critics and changed the design.

  • I finally yielded to temptation and had some cake.

3 a [+ object] : to allow (something) to be taken or controlled by another person, group, etc.

  • Ground troops refused to yield [=(more commonly) surrender] the fortress to the enemy.

— sometimes used figuratively

  • Despite all my arguments she was unwilling to yield the point to me. [=she was unwilling to admit that I was right]

b formal : to give (someone) the chance to speak at a public meeting — + to

[+ object]

  • I yield the floor to the Senator from Maine.

[no object]

  • I yield to the Senator.

c [no object] : to stop trying to fight someone or something

  • The enemy refused to yield. [=give up]

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