yak

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈyak

plural yaks also yak

Synonyms of yak

: a large long-haired wild or domesticated ox (Bos grunniens synonym Poephagus grunniens) of Tibet and adjacent elevated parts of central Asia

yak

2 of 4

noun (2)

ˈyäk ˈyak

less common variant of yuk entry 1

slang : laugh

did it just for yuks

slang : joke, gag

yak

3 of 4

verb

ˈyak

variants or less commonly yack

yakked also yacked; yakking also yacking

intransitive verb

: to talk persistently : chatter

yak

4 of 4

noun (3)

variants or less commonly yack

: persistent or voluble talk

Examples of yak in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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Noun

Pick up some new eye shadow and a side of yak steak from Star’s Yak Ranch. — Irene Middleman Thomas, Denver Post, 27 Sep. 2026 Even as a young boy (Samdrum Dorje Lama plays him at that age), Tenzing was fascinated with the allure and mystery of the mountain while herding his family’s yaks in Tibet. — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 7 Sep. 2026

Verb

But the core of the appeal of fantasy sports is the joy of tracking each week’s games and yakking about it with sports-crazy friends, Berry emphasizes. — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 6 Feb. 2026 But why not enjoy yakking about it? — Susan Orlean, New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for yak

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Tibetan (Lhasa dialect) yaʔ (spelled gyag)

Verb

probably imitative

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1795, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1949, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1950, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of yak was in 1795

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

Yajur Veda

yak

Yaka

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Yak.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yak. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

yak

noun

ˈyak

plural yaks also yak

: a large long-haired wild or domesticated ox of Tibet and nearby elevated parts of central Asia

yak

noun (1)

Illustration of yak

noun (2)

verb

noun (3)

Examples of yak in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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yak

noun (1)

Illustration of yak

noun (2)

verb

noun (3)

Examples of yak in a Sentence

Word History

Rhymes for yak

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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