Definition of fork
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
3a : a division into branches or the place where something divides into branchesb : 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
Read the Latest from M-W
Examples of fork in a Sentence
a fork in the road
the north fork of the river
the front fork of a bicycle
Origin and Etymology of fork
Middle English forke, from Old English & Anglo-French; Old English forca & Anglo-French furke, from Latin furca
First Known Use: before 12th century
fork
Definition of fork
intransitive verb
1 : to divide into two or more branches where the road forks
2a : to use or work with a forkb : 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
nounExamples of fork in a Sentence
The road forks to the north and south.
They forked the hay into the loft.
15th Century
First Known Use of fork
15th century
FORK Defined for English Language Learners
fork
playDefinition of fork for English Language Learners
-
: a small tool with two or more pointed parts (called prongs or tines) used for picking up and eating food
-
: a garden tool with two or more prongs used for lifting and digging soil
-
: a place where something (such as a road or river) divides into two parts
fork
Definition of fork for English Language Learners
-
of a road, river, etc. : to divide into two parts
-
: to pay or give (money)
-
: to lift or throw (something) with a fork
FORK Defined for Kids
Definition of fork for Students
1 : an implement having a handle and two or more prongs for taking up (as in eating), pitching, or digging
2 : a forked part or tool
3 : the place where something divides or branches a fork in the road
4 : one of the parts into which something divides or branches the left fork
Definition of fork for Students
forked
;forking
1 : to divide into branches Drive to where the road forks.
2 : to pitch or lift with a fork
Medical Dictionary
fork
playMedical Definition of fork
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
Learn More about fork
-
See words that rhyme with fork Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for fork Spanish Central: Translation of fork Nglish: Translation of fork for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of fork for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up fork? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!