Yield
/jiːld/
verbnounB2
Definition
As a verb, yield means to give something up, to stop fighting or resisting, or to produce a result like crops or profits. As a noun, yield refers to the amount of something produced or the result of an effort. It can also mean the action of allowing others to go first, especially in traffic.
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See It in Action
To give way or stop resisting (verb)
- •The driver yielded to the pedestrian at the crosswalk.
- •After a long debate, she finally yielded to their opinion.
- •The soldiers refused to yield despite the pressure.
To produce or provide (verb)
- •This farm yields a large amount of vegetables every year.
- •The investment yielded a good profit.
- •The experiment yielded unexpected results.
The amount produced or returned (noun)
- •The yield of the wheat crop was higher than last year.
- •The bond offers a 5% yield annually.
- •Farmers are pleased with this season’s yield.
The action of giving way, especially in traffic (noun)
- •At the yield sign, drivers must slow down and let others pass.
- •Failure to stop at the yield can cause accidents.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "yield" like "give" (A1 word), but it can mean stopping or producing, not just giving something physically
- ✓Picture a farmer’s field producing many fruits or vegetables—that is the yield of the field
- ✓It's the feeling when you let someone go first in traffic to be polite and safe
- ✓Sounds like "field" without the 'f' → imagine a field giving crops, so "yield" means giving or producing
- ✓Think of a traffic sign that tells drivers to slow down and give way to others—this is "yield"
- ✓NOT like "take" (to get something), "yield" means to give or produce something
- ✓NOT like "stop" completely, "yield" means to slow down or give way, but you may continue after
- ✓NOT like "grow" (the process), "yield" is the result or amount produced after growth
Try Other Words
- •Surrender: to stop fighting or resisting (Use when focusing on giving up completely)
- •Produce: to make or create something (Use when talking about crops, profits, or results)
- •Allow: to let someone do something or go first (Use in polite or permission contexts)
- •Give way: to stop or slow down to let others pass (Use in traffic or conflict situations)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: base root "yield" with no prefix or suffix
- •Etymology: From Old English "gieldan" meaning to pay, give, or return
- •Historical development: Originally meant to pay or give back, later extended to mean giving way or producing
- •Modern usage: Used in many contexts including traffic rules, farming, finance, and general giving or producing
Reflect & Connect
•When is it better to yield than to keep trying or fighting? Can you think of times in your life this happened?
•How does the meaning of yield change when talking about money versus traffic or farming?
Fill in the blanks
1.Drivers must yield ___ pedestrians at crosswalks to keep everyone safe.
2.The farm’s yield ___ a large amount of fruit because of good weather.
3.She refused to yield ___ her opinion even when others disagreed.
4.The investment yielded ___ profit, making the investors happy.
5.At the yield sign, cars slow down and ___ the right of way to others.
6.The soldiers finally yielded after a long ___ of resistance.
7.The bond’s yield is ___ higher than last year, attracting more buyers.