First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1yield
verb \ˈyēld\
: to produce or provide (something, such as a plant or crop)
: to produce (something) as a result of time, effort, or work
: to produce (a profit, an amount of money, etc.)
Full Definition of YIELD
transitive verb
1
archaic : recompense, reward
2
: to give or render as fitting, rightfully owed, or required
3
: to give up possession of on claim or demand: as a : to give up (as one's breath) and so die b : to surrender or relinquish to the physical control of another : hand over possession of c : to surrender or submit (oneself) to another d : to give (oneself) up to an inclination, temptation, or habit e : to relinquish one's possession of (as a position of advantage or point of superiority) <yield precedence>
4
a : to bear or bring forth as a natural product especially as a result of cultivation <the tree always yields good fruit> b : to produce or furnish as return <this soil should yield good crops> c (1) : to produce as return from an expenditure or investment : furnish as profit or interest <a bond that yields 12 percent> (2) : to produce as revenue : bring in <the tax is expected to yield millions>
5
: to give up (as a hit or run) in baseball <yielded two runs in the third inning>
intransitive verb
2
3
: to give way to pressure or influence : submit to urging, persuasion, or entreaty
4
: to give way under physical force (as bending, stretching, or breaking)
5
a : to give place or precedence : acknowledge the superiority of someone else b : to be inferior <our dictionary yields to none> c : to give way to or become succeeded by someone or something else
6
: to relinquish the floor of a legislative assembly
See yield defined for English-language learners
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Origin of YIELD
Middle English, from Old English gieldan; akin to Old High German geltan to pay
Synonym Discussion of YIELD
yield, submit, capitulate, succumb, relent, defer mean to give way to someone or something that one can no longer resist. yield may apply to any sort or degree of giving way before force, argument, persuasion, or entreaty <yields too easily in any argument>. submit suggests full surrendering after resistance or conflict to the will or control of another <a repentant sinner vowing to submit to the will of God>. capitulate stresses the fact of ending all resistance and may imply either a coming to terms (as with an adversary) or hopelessness in the face of an irresistible opposing force <officials capitulated to the protesters' demands>. succumb implies weakness and helplessness to the one that gives way or an overwhelming power to the opposing force <a stage actor succumbing to the lure of Hollywood>. relent implies a yielding through pity or mercy by one who holds the upper hand <finally relented and let the children stay up late>. defer implies a voluntary yielding or submitting out of respect or reverence for or deference and affection toward another <I defer to your expertise in these matters>.
synonyms see in addition relinquish
2yield
noun
: the amount of something that is produced by a plant, farm, etc.
: the profit made from an investment
Full Definition of YIELD
1
2
: the capacity of yielding produce
See yield defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of YIELD
15th century
YIELD[1] Defined for Kids
1yield
verb \ˈyēld\
yield·edyield·ing
Definition of YIELD for Kids
1
: to give (something) over to the power or control of another : surrender <The troops would not yield the fort to the enemy.>
2
: to give in <He yielded to temptation.>
3
: to produce as a natural product <These trees yield fruit.>
4
: to produce or give back as interest or profit <The investment yielded eight percent annually.>
5
: to be productive : bring good results <The studies yielded proof of the theory.>
6
: to stop opposing or objecting to something <Jenner would not yield to my point of view, nor would I to his. — Robert C. O'Brien, Rats of NIMH>
7
: to give way under physical force so as to bend, stretch, or break <The rope yielded under the strain.>
8
: to allow another person or vehicle to go first
2yield
noun
Definition of YIELD for Kids
1
: the amount produced or returned <The high yield of wheat per acre increased.>
2
: 2return 7 <The yield on government bonds is five percent.>
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