prong

1 of 2

noun

ˈprȯŋ 

ˈpräŋ

1

: fork

2

: a tine of a fork

3

: a slender pointed or projecting part: such as

a

: a fang of a tooth

b

: a point of an antler

4

: something resembling a prong

prong

2 of 2

verb

pronged; pronging; prongs

transitive verb

: to stab, pierce, or break up with a pronged device

Examples of prong in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The jury-trial prong of SpaceX’s attack was potentially resolved in June, when the Supreme Court, in Securities and Exchange Commission vs. Jarkesy, ruled that a company does have a right to trial by jury, not by administrative-law judge, when civil penalties are in play. —E. Tammy Kim, The New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2024

This algorithmic prioritization represents the second prong of the approach: granting far-right influencers and the MAGA faithful greater reach with their posts. —Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 30 Oct. 2024

Verb

The chat reportedly suggested the members had strong ties to the police force, which then brought police corruption into the multi-pronged scandal. —Caitlin Kelley, Billboard, 24 Mar. 2019

Apparently, there's now a new twist on the classic shape, looking a little more modern with an oval center stone and spiky pronged diamonds surrounding it. —Katherine J. Igoe, Marie Claire, 2 Aug. 2019

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English pronge

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1785, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

prong

noun

ˈprȯŋ,

ˈpräŋ

1

: fork entry 1 sense 1

2

: one of the sharp points of a fork : tine

3

: a slender pointed part that sticks out (as on an antler)

4

: something resembling a prong

there are two prongs to the argument

pronged

ˈprȯŋd

ˈpräŋd

adjective