fork

1 of 2

noun

ˈfȯrk 

plural forks

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 see also fork in the road

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

Flip and repeat on the remaining three sides, until the halibut is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork, 8 to 12 minutes total. — ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026

My 7-year-old loved the secret utensil compartment, which comes with a 2-in-1 fork and spoon. — Melissa Knific, Bon Appetit Magazine, 4 Sep. 2026

Verb

Chelsea have forked out £236million on Brighton players, the largest sum any Premier League club has spent on signings from another, and all of it since 2022. — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026

Under the new rules, those looking to settle permanently in Japan will have to fork out 20 times more — 200,000 yen ($1,257) — to become a permanent resident. — Christine Miyawaki, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 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 in the road
• 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