forge

noun

Save Word

\ ˈfȯrj

Definition of forge

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : a furnace or a shop with its furnace where metal is heated and wrought : smithy

2 : a workshop where wrought iron is produced or where iron is made malleable

forge

verb (1)

forged; forging

Definition of forge (Entry 2 of 3)

transitive verb

1a : to form (something, such as metal) by heating and hammering forged pieces of iron into hooks

b : to form (metal) by a mechanical or hydraulic press with or without heat

2 : to make or imitate falsely especially with intent to defraud : counterfeit forge a document forge a signature

3 : to form or bring into being especially by an expenditure of effort working to forge party unity The two countries forged a strong alliance.

intransitive verb

1 : to work at a forge

2 : to commit forgery (see forgery sense 3)

forge

verb (2)

forged; forging

Definition of forge (Entry 3 of 3)

intransitive verb

1 : to move forward slowly and steadily the ship forged ahead through heavy seas

2 : to move with a sudden increase of speed and power forged into the lead forged ahead in marketing the product

Other Words from forge Synonyms & Antonyms Are "forging ahead" and "forging a check" from the same forge? More Example Sentences Phrases Containing forge Learn More About forge

Other Words from forge

Verb (1)

forgeability \ ˌfȯr-jə-ˈbi-lə-tē

\ noun

forgeable \ ˈfȯr-jə-bəl

\ adjective

Synonyms & Antonyms for forge

Synonyms: Verb (1)

Synonyms: Verb (2)

Antonyms: Verb (2)

Are "forging ahead" and "forging a check" from the same forge?

There are many things you can do with the word forge in English. You can forge ahead (which, confusingly enough, can mean either "move slowly and steadily" or "move with a sudden increase of speed"), you can forge a check or a painting (make something fake), or you can forge a sword (make something real). The senses that relate to creating something (either real or fake) come from the same Latin word that gives us fabric, which is fabricare ("to fashion, construct"). We are not certain where the “movement” senses of forge come from, except insofar as we know that they are from a different origin than the “creation” senses of the word.

Examples of forge in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Australian motocross teens battle it out to win races and forge friendships in this kids’ drama series. — Hau Chu, Washington Post, 12 May 2022 Only the golden years of Lionel Messi's Barcelona, which Guardiola helped forge, was able to somewhat dim that mystique. — Joseph Wilson, ajc, 5 May 2022 The latest victory will likely help the BJP forge ahead with its controversial agenda, such as implementing a citizenship law that excluded Muslims from its ambit and had been pushed to the back burner after nationwide protests. — Washington Post, 10 Mar. 2022 China has already convinced Costa Rica, Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic and El Salvador to drop their recognition of Taiwan and forge ties with Beijing. — Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2022 Expect to see Kyiv forge arrangements with neighboring NATO members and potential members who legitimately see themselves in the crosshairs of Putin’s missile launchers. — Michael Bociurkiw, CNN, 13 Apr. 2022 Lacing the beer served at their feasts with hallucinogens may have helped an ancient Peruvian people known as the Wari forge political alliances and expand their empire, according to a new paper published in the journal Antiquity. — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 13 Jan. 2022 Australia has been working to overhaul its military to create a larger, more powerful force and forge deeper ties with like-minded countries. — Rhiannon Hoyle, WSJ, 5 Jan. 2022 Nature names for celebrity pets forge into wilder territory. — People Staff, PEOPLE.com, 4 Feb. 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Zorro will be shaped by relationships from his youth, love and disappointment in love which will forge his development as a character and reflect a kind of masculinity far from stereotypes, Secuoya announced. — John Hopewell, Variety, 13 May 2022 During the Cambridges visit, there were calls for reparations, anti-monarchy protests, and news that Jamaica is moving to forge a new republic and to remove the Queen as head of state. — Emily Burack, Town & Country, 25 Apr. 2022 And, anyways, the Rockets have ample time to figure things out and forge their own identity and chart their own path. — Rahat Huq, Chron, 25 Apr. 2022 In summary, understand and recognize the Law of Twos but forge on and drive your success. — Stephen Gerard, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2021 Racist and sexist pressures pervade intimate spaces and private lives and shape identities and self-images, and the characters forge a sense of style as a way of coping and as a mode of protest, defiance, and self-assertion. — Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 13 May 2022 Operating on their own, creators must forge their own business development opportunities while managing their finances and day-to-day business. — David Prosser, Forbes, 27 Apr. 2022 For more information on building your own Parent Village, including how to foster a community, forge a collective identity, elevate expectations for society and fight for change, visit parentnation.org. — Dana Suskind, Good Housekeeping, 26 Apr. 2022 So, might this collective failure help forge a new path toward preparedness for the next pandemic? — Annalisa Merelli, Quartz, 19 Apr. 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb His choral works helped to forge a distinctly Ukrainian sound. — New York Times, 13 May 2022 The masterpiece helped forge a distinct Ukrainian identity, separate from that of its giant neighbor to the east. — Joshua Hammer, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 May 2022 The Russian Orthodox Church has long been seen as a tool wielded by the Kremlin to gain political and cultural influence and help forge an ideology that supports Russian President Vladimir Putin’s geopolitical aims. — Thomas Grove, WSJ, 24 Apr. 2022 Grassroots outrage, as much as politicians’ calculations, has helped forge the Western response to the invasion. — Ned Temko, The Christian Science Monitor, 5 Apr. 2022 Oliver Ellsworth helped forge the Connecticut Compromise and draft Article III and the Judiciary Act. — Dan Mclaughlin, National Review, 17 Mar. 2022 Here’s a recap of Paul’s interactions Friday night as the Suns forge forward minus their team leader for likely the rest of the regular season. — Duane Rankin, The Arizona Republic, 27 Feb. 2022 The hope is staging the 2023 World Lacrosse Championship some two hours south of Los Angeles would help forge the sport’s return to the Olympics for the first time in more than century. — Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Jan. 2022 Fishing provided nutritional and economic sustenance, and helped forge San Sebastián’s maritime identity. — Tom Mullen, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'forge.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for forge

Noun

Middle English, "smith's workshop," borrowed from Anglo-French, going back to Gallo-Romance *faurga, going back to Latin fabrica "process of making something, craft, workshop" — more at fabric

Verb (1)

Middle English forgen "to form, shape (metal by heat), invent, contrive, counterfeit," borrowed from Anglo-French forger, forgier, going back to Latin fabricāre, fabricārī "to fashion, shape, construct" — more at fabricate

Verb (2)

origin unknown