forge

noun

\ 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 Are "forging ahead" and "forging a check" from the same forge? More Example Sentences Learn More about forge

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from forge

Verb (1)

forgeability \ ˌfȯr-jə-ˈbi-lə-tē

\ noun

forgeable \ ˈfȯr-jə-bəl

\ adjective

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

After repeating the process several times, the Chalybes pulled sturdy iron weapons from the forge. — Jonathan Schifman, Popular Mechanics, "The Entire History of Steel," 9 July 2018 The fires were especially intense due to an unusually late start to the rainy season, which left vegetation dry as seasonal mountain winds kicked up like bellows in a forge. — Scott K. Johnson, Ars Technica, "What is going on with California’s horrific fires?," 13 Nov. 2018 On top of that, the kinds of powerful cosmic forges that would generate high-energy cosmic rays also would produce a torrent of high-energy neutrinos. — Amina Khan, latimes.com, "After years of searching, scientists finally trace high-energy neutrinos to a distant blazar," 12 July 2018 Volcanic eruptions were Vulcan hammering at his forge. — Steven Austad, AL.com, "Star gazing in the 21st century," 28 Apr. 2018 Now the apparel maker has released a new line of workwear made from a fabric named after the iron forge that was once used to make pitons, chocks, and wedges. — Wes Siler, Outside Online, "This Patagonia Apron Is Made for Working," 12 Apr. 2018 But the forge, based on Russian designs from the 1980s, is outdated and the country oversupplied. — The Economist, "A compelling look at the flaws in the Chinese economy," 22 Mar. 2018 Ken Kurtz cranks a blower as its gears scream, stoking flames in the blacksmith's forge, the center of the coals reaching more than 2,000 degrees. — Ben Brazil, latimes.com, "Orange County Blacksmith Guild seeks to preserve the old ways," 26 Jan. 2018 The intro class costs $20 and open forge is $15, which covers fuel and power equipment costs. — Ben Brazil, latimes.com, "Orange County Blacksmith Guild seeks to preserve the old ways," 26 Jan. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Purdue Pharma LP has forged the first deal to resolve more than 1,600 lawsuits blaming the OxyContin maker for fueling the opioid crisis, a move that could lay the groundwork for the resolution of the rest of the litigation. — Sara Randazzo, WSJ, "Purdue Pharma Begins Resolution of Opioid Cases With $270 Million Deal," 26 Mar. 2019 According to an ABC News article, Dee Dee forged Gypsy Rose's birth certificate on at least one occasion, changing her birth year from 1991 to 1995. — Alexis Jones, Marie Claire, "How True Is 'The Act'? The Hulu Series' Backstory Is Chilling," 20 Mar. 2019 In the intervening decades, both forged new lives in America — Shatz became a columnist for the Virginia Gazette, and Fabian pursued professional photography and a prolific writing career, publishing articles, travel guides and books. — Hannah Natanson, Washington Post, "They survived the Holocaust, and then he rescued her from communism. Sixty-five years later, they’ve reunited.," 9 July 2018 Pruitt’s religion and conservatism forged a bridge to Trump’s base Trump’s religiosity and conservative credentials were always suspect, in belief and in action. — Umair Irfan, Vox, "Why Scott Pruitt lasted so long at the EPA, and what finally did him in," 7 July 2018 Mr Peña forged a coalition of Mexico’s main parties to pass sweeping reforms and aimed for growth of 6% by the end of his term. — The Economist, "How Andrés Manuel López Obrador will remake Mexico," 23 June 2018 According to Antetokounmpo, the two forged a bond that made them like brothers. — Matt Velazquez, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Reports: Bucks assistant Sean Sweeney leaving for Pistons," 22 June 2018 Keith Madison forged those deals and fundraised each step of The Cliff's evolution during his 25 years as Kentucky's baseball coach. — Fletcher Page, The Courier-Journal, "Kentucky baseball's stadium was more than a ballpark: 'It's the people'," 14 May 2018 Showing that Jack and Rebecca are equals and symbolizing Rebecca choosing to forge a path of her own, the two take on a stack of dirty dishes together. — Eileen Reslen, Good Housekeeping, "The Important Things You Totally Missed on 'This Is Us' Last Night," 10 Oct. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

So, the company turned to Ferrer, who has forged close relationships with vintage dealers around the world throughout his career. — Hadley Keller, House Beautiful, "You Can Now Buy Vintage at CB2, Thanks to a Line from Charlie Ferrer," 14 Mar. 2019 Yet thanks to an eclectic score by David Yazbek and inspired direction by David Cromer, loneliness, ennui, and briefly forged connections make for a ravishing state of affairs. — Christopher Wallenberg, BostonGlobe.com, "Picks and predictions for the Tonys," 8 June 2018 And although not exactly secession, the Upstate rebranding helps the north forge a separate identity. — David Ferry, San Francisco Chronicle, "“Upstate CA?” Northern California has an image problem," 6 June 2018 Even if Facebook does manage to scrounge up anti-regulation allies on the right, their allegiance may prove to be one of convenience, as opposed to one forged out of sympathy for the billion-dollar tech giant. — Maya Kosoff, The Hive, "Why Mark Zuckerberg Is Cozying Up to Conservatives," 18 Apr. 2018 Dell unveiled a 49-inch UltraSharp U4919DW monitor on Monday, entering the world of massive screens forged by Samsung's CHG90 and others. — Sam Blum, Popular Mechanics, "Dell's Enormous Curved Monitor Is Here to Bombard You With Screen," 15 Oct. 2018 Children of poverty forged by anti-immigrant tactics. — Moni Basu, CNN, "Blue state, red valley: In this part of California, a new generation is more woke than ever," 1 June 2018 These homely little volumes, Mr. Phillips rightly contends, filled an important and mostly overlooked role in forging America’s Anglo-Protestant worldview and shaping Americans’ literary sensibilities. — Barton Swaim, WSJ, "‘The Hymnal’ Review: How to Make a Joyful Noise," 23 Dec. 2018 Marielle Heller’s spiky comedy stars Melissa McCarthy as Lee Israel, a smart, misanthropic writer who—with help from an exuberantly louche barfly (Richard E. Grant, just great)—supports herself by forging letters by celebrities. — John Powers, Vogue, "These Were 2018’s 12 Best Movies," 12 Dec. 2018

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

Keep scrolling for more