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yield

To yield can refer to giving something up or surrendering control when required by law . For example, to stop in order to allow other vehicles or pedestrians to go past is to yield the right-of-way . Another example is to yield assets during a criminal investigation after a court orders the seizure and forfeiture of a suspect’s assets. Another example can be a representative  (such as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives ) “yielding the floor ” or relinquishing their control over the room when the representative has finished speaking. 

Yield can also mean to bring forth a result, as when a search or investigation yields criminal evidence , or when an investment  yields a profit . For example, a document found by the prosecutor may yield new evidence of a defendant’s wrongdoing.

[Last reviewed in November of 2024 by the Wex Definitions Team
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