You’ve likely heard the word yield, but do you know what it means? This guide will tell you everything you need to know about the meaning of yield.
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Kevin
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March 30, 2022
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You may remember your Driver’s Ed teacher telling you about the importance of yielding, but do you remember what the word yield means?
In this guide, you’ll discover everything you need to know about the term yield, including its definition, origin, synonyms, antonyms, and more. We’ll also go over a few examples to teach you how to use yield in a sentence.
What Is the Definition of Yield?
Before we begin our adventure in learning about the word yield, you first need to understand that it can be used as a noun, a transitive verb (a verb that accepts an object) as well as an intransitive verb (verb without an object).
To help you better understand the meaning of yield, we’ve gathered multiple definitions from a group of trusted sources and have them listed conveniently below:
- Collins Dictionary defines the transitive verb yield as to furnish or to produce (used in reference to profit, payment, or interest).
- According to the Cambridge Dictionary, the noun yield can also be used to reference the amount of force in kilotons of the amount of TNT that is required to produce a like explosion (used regarding a nuclear weapon).
- When yield is used as an intransitive verb, it can also reference when you stop resisting something or someone.
- In the financial world, “yield” can refer to the rate of your ROI (return on investment).
While the definitions do vary — “to give away” or “an amount” — both definitions mean the same thing: to give. These varying definitions just each take a different approach to arrive at the same destination.
What Are the Antonyms and Synonyms of Yield?
Antonyms are words or phrases that have the opposite definition as the original. In contrast, we have synonyms: words or phrases that hold the same or nearly the same definition as the original.
Not just synonyms but antonyms as well are an outstanding way to help us memorize the definition of a word. Not only that, they are effective in avoiding repetition in spoken and written conversation.
Below are synonyms of yield provided in part by Power Thesaurus:
- Give
- Rake in
- Throw in the sponge
- Be overwhelmed
- Gather in
- Produce
- Persuasion
- Toe the mark
- Go along with
- Surrender
- Submit
- Cry Quits
- Bear
- Bring forth
- Defer to
- Renounce
- Buckle
- Lay aside
- Crumple
- Toe the line
- Sell for
- Come to terms
- Return
- Throw in the towel
- Show the white flag
- Earn
- Give off
- Turn out
Below are example antonyms:
- Shell out
- Dispense with
- Forfeit
- Persevere against
- Put up with
- Sacrifice
- Use up
- Say no to
- Knockback
- Jilt
- Shun
- Burn through
- Suffer the loss of
- Waste away
- Be deprived of
- Outlast
- Withstand
- Not grant
- Turn down
- Sustain
- Trifle away
- Reject
- Fritter away
- Take a stand against
- Hold off
What Is the Origin of Yield?
When we look at a word’s etymology, we are really looking at its origin. As we dive deeper and deeper, we really get to see how the words’ spelling, definition, and more has evolved over time.
As a verb, yield’s first documented use was before the 12th century in a Middle English word deriving from Old English gieldan, at times referenced as Old English g(i)eldan. This word comes from the Old High German geltan or “to pay,” which itself is related to Old Frisian jelda.
The history of yield can also be traced all the way back to the Old Norse gjaldo or “to repay.” It was not until later into the 15th century that yield was used as a noun.
How Can Yield Be Used in a Sentence?
As we grasp a better understanding of the meaning and now history of the word yield, let’s turn our attention to how to properly use yield in a sentence. Below are a few examples of the proper usage of yield in its various forms:
I thought I was keeping pace in class until the professor started talking about bond yield, dividends, current yield, nominal yield, stock price, and yield calculation.
The sheer reluctance to recycle in Ohio is going to yield some poor living situations in the near future.
Through a series of reactions as well as different interactions, we were able to see our zucchini plants produce a high yield of fruit.
Today we learned that pedestrians of any given period of time often take back physical control even after the Kings of old, where to sell their land.
Recap
Although the word yield has more than one meaning, each definition of the term essentially means “to give.” Hopefully, this article has yielded more knowledge and a wider vocabulary for you!
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