fork

1 of 2

noun

ˈfȯrk 

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 

noun

fork

2 of 2

verb

forked; forking; forks

intransitive 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 fork

transitive 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 noun

Synonyms

Verb

• branch (out)
• diverge
• divide
• part
• separate
• spread

Examples 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

Noun

Very large oysters can even be halved with the edge of that fork, although not easily. —Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 5 Nov. 2024

This fork design was commonplace on pre-1930s bikes. —New Atlas, 4 Nov. 2024

Verb

In 7 episodes, Fuel to Fork exposes how fossil fuels power everything from farm to fork, and what the options are for reducing our dependence on them. —Errol Schweizer, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024

Because getting a Ferrari requires more than just forking over loads and loads of cash. —Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 29 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English forke, from Old English & Anglo-French; Old English forca & Anglo-French furke, from Latin furca

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing fork

• fork-tender
• tuning fork

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 fork

fork

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 noun

Medical 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 legs