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

Break yolks with a fork and mix well with the egg whites (be careful not to whip in air). —Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 10 Dec. 2024

Straps secure the pad in place, while more hook-and-loop straps and precisely positioned blocks help keep bike frames and forks from unwanted jostling—no matter how bumpy the 4×4 road is. —Drew Zieff, Outside Online, 27 Nov. 2024

Verb

Defying this algorithmic blur, Apple TV still felt its Billie Eilish caper was worth $27 million, and Disney forked out $32 million for Elton John: Never Too Late. —Peter Bart, Deadline, 12 Dec. 2024

Parents, taxpayers, and students fork over huge sums of money to colleges to prepare young adults for the real world. —Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 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