FORK Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
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fork
1 of 2noun
ˈfȯrk Synonyms of fork 1 : an implement with two or more prongs used especially for taking up (as in eating), pitching, or digging 2 : a forked part, tool, or piece of equipment 3 a : a division into branches or the place where something divides into branches b : confluence 4 : one of the branches into which something forks 5 : an attack by one chess piece (such as a knight) on two pieces simultaneously forkful ˈfȯrk-ˌfu̇l nounfork
2 of 2verb
forked ; forking ; forksintransitive verb
1 : to divide into two or more branches where the road forks 2 a : to use or work with a fork b : to turn into a forktransitive verb
1 : to give the form of a fork to forking her fingers 2 : to attack (two chessmen) simultaneously 3 : to raise, pitch, dig, or work with a fork fork hay 4 : pay , contribute used with over, out , or up had to fork over $5000 forker nounSynonyms
Verb
branch (out) diverge divide part separate spread See All Synonyms & Antonyms in ThesaurusExamples of fork in a Sentence
Noun a fork in the road the north fork of the river the front fork of a bicycle Verb The road forks to the north and south. They forked the hay into the loft. Recent Examples on the Web Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback . Noun It can be fueled by wood, and even comes with a removable ash pan, fireproof mat, and BBQ forks for quick and convenient grilling and marshmallow melting. Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens , 8 Apr. 2025 And Ethereum Upgrades: Developers are exploring soft forks and protocol changes to transition to quantum-safe cryptography when necessary. Yuval Boger, Forbes.com , 4 Apr. 2025 Verb Factors that could influence Modrić’s future Real Madrid are not expected to fork out and invest in a new midfield star this summer, with transfer talk primarily focusing on defenders like Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen. Sam Leveridge, Forbes , 25 Mar. 2025 If Enos Stanley Kroenke wants to fork over $7 million a year for rehab, Landy’s more than earned it. Sean Keeler, The Denver Post , 5 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for forkWord History
EtymologyNoun
Middle English forke , from Old English & Anglo-French; Old English forca & Anglo-French furke , from Latin furca
First Known UseNoun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1
Time Traveler The first known use of fork was before the 12th century See more words from the same centuryPhrases Containing fork
fork - tender tuning forkRhymes for fork
bork dork pork stork torque pitchfork See All Rhymes for forkBrowse Nearby Words
forjudge fork forkable See all Nearby WordsCite this Entry
Style MLA Chicago APA Merriam-Webster“Fork.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fork. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
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Kids Definition
fork
1 of 2 noun ˈfȯ(ə)rk 1 : a tool with two or more prongs used especially for taking up (as in eating), pitching, or digging 2 : a forked part or tool 3 a : a dividing into branches or the place where something divides into branches a fork in the road b : a branch of a fork take the left forkfork
2 of 2 verb 1 : to divide into two or more branches the road forks 2 : to raise or pitch with a fork fork hay 3 : to give the form of a fork to forked her fingers 4 : pay entry 1 sense 2 , contribute had to fork over $100 forker nounMedical Definition
fork
noun ˈfȯ(ə)rk 1 : a forked part, tool, or piece of equipment see tuning fork 2 : the lower part of the human body where the legs diverge from the trunk usually including the legsMore from Merriam-Webster on fork
Nglish: Translation of fork for Spanish Speakers
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