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yield

YEELD /jiːld/

verbnounB2SATTOEFLGRE

generalformaltechnical

To give way to arguments, demands, or pressure; to produce or provide (as in a crop or profit).

As a verb of concession, it often implies a physical or psychological softening or bending under weight.

The story behind the word. Originally, 'yield' meant to pay a debt or a tax. Over time, the meaning shifted from 'giving money' to 'giving up' or 'giving way' in a more general sense.

Word relationships

submit: Submit implies a more complete surrender to authority; yield can be a tactical or temporary giving-way.
relent: Relent implies becoming less severe or abandoned a harsh intention; yield is more about the act of giving in.

resist: To withstand the force or pressure without giving way.
withstand: To remain undamaged or unaffected by pressure.

Commonly confused with

concede: Concede is specifically about admitting a point is true; yield is broader and can mean giving up physical space or power.

Word family

unyielding (adjective): Stubborn; not giving way to pressure.

Collocations

yield to pressure
yield results
yield the floor
high yield

Idioms & expressions

yield the ghost (archaic for dying)

Example sentences

"Despite the intense pressure from the board, the CEO refused to yield on the issue of employee benefits." Negotiation
"The new investment strategy is expected to yield significant returns by the end of the fiscal year." Agriculture/Finance

Memory hook

A FIELD YIELDS crops; a person YIELDS to pressure. Bending but not breaking.

When not to use

In traffic, 'yield' means to let others go first; don't use it for 'stopping' entirely if the way is clear.

Fun facts

In computer programming, a 'yield' statement allows a function to pause and give control back to the main program temporarily.