fork

1 of 2

noun

ˈfȯrk 

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 (such as a knight) on two pieces simultaneously

forkful

ˈfȯrk-ˌfu̇l 

noun

fork

2 of 2

verb

forked; forking; forks

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

forker noun

Synonyms of fork

Verb

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

Examples of fork in a Sentence

Noun

a fork in the road

the north fork of the river

the front fork of a bicycle

Verb

The road forks to the north and south.

They forked the hay into the loft.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Cook the salmon at 400°F for 8–12 minutes, basting halfway through, until the fish flakes easily when the top of the salmon is gently pressed with a fork. —Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026

Europeans and Americans hold their forks differently. —Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 24 Jan. 2026

Verb

Investment opportunities included perks ranging from 10% off and access to special events for $1,000 purchasers to lifetime 30% discounts and an all-expense paid private party and dinner for 100 guests for those who forked over $200,000. —Paul Flahive, Austin American Statesman, 27 Jan. 2026

National debt now exceeds $38 trillion, with the government forking out in excess of $270 billion in debt interest payments alone in the final three months of fiscal year 2025. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 22 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

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

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing fork

• fork-tender
• tuning fork

Rhymes for fork

• bork
• dork
• pork
• stork
• torque
• pitchfork

Kids Definition

fork

1 of 2 noun

ˈfȯ(ə)rk 

1

: a tool with two or more prongs used especially for taking up (as in eating), pitching, or digging

2

: a forked part or tool

3

a

: a dividing into branches or the place where something divides into branches

a fork in the road

b

: a branch of a fork

take the left fork

fork

2 of 2 verb

1

: to divide into two or more branches

the road forks

2

: to raise or pitch with a fork

fork hay

3

: to give the form of a fork to

forked her fingers

4

: pay entry 1 sense 2, contribute

had to fork over $100

forker noun

Medical Definition

fork

noun

ˈfȯ(ə)rk 

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