Plain English Meaning
The wheel-shaped handle in front of the pilot used to steer the airplane in the air. Turn it to bank the wings, push or pull it to point the nose down or up.
Full Definition
The primary flight control in the cockpit used by the pilot to operate the ailerons and elevator. Turning the yoke left or right deflects the ailerons to control roll, while pushing or pulling the yoke moves the elevator to control pitch.
Context Anchor
Seen in the cockpit during normal flying and in emergency discussions about , where pushing and pulling the yoke may no longer move the nose as expected.