First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1egg
verb \ˈeg, ˈāg\
Definition of EGG
transitive verb
: to incite to action —usually used with on
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of EGG
Middle English, from Old Norse eggja; akin to Old English ecg edge — more at edge
2egg
noun, often attributive
: a hard-shelled oval thing from which a young bird is born; also : an oval or round thing from which a snake, frog, insect, etc., is born
: the egg of a bird (especially a chicken) eaten as food
biology : a cell that is produced by the female sexual organs and that combines with the male's sperm in reproduction
Full Definition of EGG
1
a : the hard-shelled reproductive body produced by a bird and especially by the common domestic chicken; also : its contents used as food b : an animal reproductive body consisting of an ovum together with its nutritive and protective envelopes and having the capacity to develop into a new individual capable of independent existence c : ovum
2
: something resembling an egg
3
— egg·less adjective
— eggy \ˈe-gē, ˈā-\ adjective
— egg on one's face
: a state of embarrassment or humiliation
See egg defined for English-language learners
Origin of EGG
Middle English egge, from Old Norse egg; akin to Old English ǣg egg, Latin ovum, Greek ōion
First Known Use: 14th century
Related to EGG
Other Embryology Terms
3egg
verb
Definition of EGG
transitive verb
1
: to cover with egg
2
: to pelt with eggs
First Known Use of EGG
1833
EGG ON ONE'S FACE Defined for Kids
1egg
noun \ˈeg, ˈāg\
Definition of EGG for Kids
1
: an oval or rounded body surrounded by a shell or membrane by which some animals (as birds, fish, insects, and reptiles) reproduce and from which the young hatches out
2
: egg cell
3
: the contents of the egg of a bird and especially a chicken that is eaten as food
2egg
verb
eggedegg·ing
Definition of EGG for Kids
: to urge or encourage to do usually something foolish or dangerous <… he'd been calling the snake off, not egging it on … — J. K. Rowling, Chamber of Secrets>
Medical Dictionary
egg
noun \ˈeg, ˈāg\
Medical Definition of EGG
1
: the hard-shelled reproductive body produced by a bird and especially by the common domestic chicken (Gallus gallus)
2
: an animal reproductive body consisting of an ovum together with its nutritive and protective envelopes and having the capacity to develop into a new individual capable of independent existence
3
: ovum
Learn More About EGG
Browse
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up egg? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).