1 [+ obj] a : to produce or provide (something, such as a plant or crop)
▪ The apple/peach trees yielded an abundant harvest. ▪ This soil should yield good crops. ▪ The seeds yield a rich oil.
b : to produce (something) as a result of time, effort, or work
▪ New methods have yielded promising results in the field. ▪ The studies yielded clear evidence. — sometimes + up ▪ Their research has yielded up some surprising results.
c : to produce (a profit, an amount of money, etc.)
▪ The tax is expected to yield millions. ▪ The bond yields seven percent annually. 2 [no obj] : to agree to do or accept something that you have been resisting : to stop trying to resist or oppose something
▪ After several hours of debate, the opposition yielded. — often + to ▪ The company refused to yield to the protesters' demands. ▪ The architect yielded to critics and changed the design. ▪ I finally yielded to temptation and had some cake. 3 a [+ obj] : to allow (something) to be taken or controlled by another person, group, etc.
▪ Ground troops refused to yield [=(more commonly) surrender] the fortress to the enemy. — sometimes used figuratively ▪ Despite all my arguments she was unwilling to yield the point to me. [=she was unwilling to admit that I was right]
b formal : to give (someone) the chance to speak at a public meeting — + to [+ obj] ▪ I yield the floor to the Senator from Maine. [no obj] ▪ I yield to the Senator.
c [no obj] : to stop trying to fight someone or something
▪ The enemy refused to yield. [=give up] 4 [no obj] : to bend, stretch, or break because of physical force or pressure
▪ Ripe fruit should yield slightly to pressure. [=ripe fruit should be just a little bit soft] ▪ The heavy weight caused the rope to yield. 5 US : to allow another car or person to go ahead of you or in front of you [no obj] ▪ The driver failed to yield [=(Brit) give way] and was hit by another car. ▪ You must yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk. [+ obj] ▪ Oncoming traffic must yield the right-of-way.