tine

1 of 2

noun

1
: a slender pointed projecting part : prong
2
: a pointed branch of an antler
tined adjective

tine

2 of 2

verb

tined ˈtīnd How to pronounce tine (audio) or tint ˈtint How to pronounce tine (audio) ; tining ˈtī-niŋ How to pronounce tine (audio)

transitive verb

dialectal British : lose

intransitive verb

dialectal British : to become lost

Examples of tine in a Sentence

Noun One of the fork's tines was bent.
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
The size of our army has fallen by over 20 percent in that past decade and is now smaller than at any tine since the 1930s. Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024 Two massive drop tines give it incredible eye appeal. Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 31 Oct. 2024 Position the small bowls and plates between the tines, angling them to face down and toward the center of the dishwasher. Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Oct. 2024 Frau Hermann teased at her pastry with her fork tines. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 23 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for tine 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English tind, from Old English; akin to Old High German zint point, tine

Verb

Middle English, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse tȳna to lose, destroy, tjōn injury, loss — more at teen entry 2

First Known Use

Noun

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

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of tine was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near tine

Cite this Entry

“Tine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tine. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

tine

noun
ˈtīn
: a slender pointed part : prong
the tines of a fork

More from Merriam-Webster on tine

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!