Yield Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)

Britannica Dictionary 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_]

4

[no object]

:

to bend, stretch, or break because of physical force or pressure

• Ripe fruit should yield slightly to pressure. [=ripe fruit should be just a little bit soft]
• The heavy weight caused the rope to yield.

5

US

:

to allow another car or person to go ahead of you or in front of you

[no object]

• The driver failed to yield [=(Brit) _give way_] and was hit by another car.
• You must yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk.

[+ object]

• Oncoming traffic must yield the right-of-way.

Britannica Dictionary definition of YIELD

[count]

1

:

the amount of something that is produced by a plant, farm, etc.

• Our yield of wheat increased this year.
• The average yield per tree is about one bushel.

2

:

the profit made from an investment

• The yield on government bonds is currently seven percent.
• stocks with high-percentage yields