fork

¹fork

noun \ˈfȯrk\

Definition 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 (as a knight) on two pieces simultaneously

— fork·ful \-ˌfu̇l\ noun

Examples of FORK

1. a fork in the road
2. the north fork of the river
3. the front fork of a bicycle

Origin of FORK

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

First Known Use: before 12th century

Other Food Terms

Reuben, calamari, chuck, curry, edamame, foie gras, hummus, leaven, nonpareil, peel

Rhymes with FORK

cork, Cork, dork, pork, quark, stork, torque

²fork

verb

Definition of FORK

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>

— fork·er noun

Examples of FORK

1. The road forks to the north and south.
2. They forked the hay into the loft.

First Known Use of FORK

15th century

Related to FORK

Synonyms

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

Antonyms

converge, join

Related Words

bestrew, break up, broadcast, clear out, disband, dispel, disperse, dissipate, distribute, scatter, sow; distance, recede, retreat

Near Antonyms

assemble, gather, meet

fork

noun \ˈfȯ(ə)rk\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of FORK

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