Definition of yoke
yokes
1a : a wooden bar or frame by which two draft animals (such as oxen) are joined at the heads or necks for working togetherb : an arched device formerly laid on the neck of a defeated personc : a frame fitted to a person's shoulders to carry a load in two equal portionsd : a bar by which the end of the tongue of a wagon or carriage is suspended from the collars of the harnesse (1) : a crosspiece on the head of a boat's rudder (2) : an airplane control operating the elevators and aileronsf : a frame from which a bell is hungg : a clamp or similar piece that embraces two parts to hold or unite them in position
2 plural usually yoke : two animals yoked or worked together
3a (1) : an oppressive agency (2) : servitude, bondageb : tie, link; especially : marriage
4 : a fitted or shaped piece at the top of a skirt or at the shoulder of various garments
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Examples of yoke in a Sentence
a people able at last to throw off the yoke and to embrace freedom
Origin and Etymology of yoke
Middle English yok, from Old English geoc; akin to Old High German joh yoke, Latin jugum, Greek zygon, Sanskrit yuga, Latin jungere to join
First Known Use: before 12th century
yoke
Definition of yoke
yoked
;yoking
transitive verb
1a (1) : to put a yoke on (2) : to join in or with a yokeb : to attach a draft animal to; also : to attach (a draft animal) to something
2 : to join as if by a yoke
3 : to put to work
intransitive verb
: to become joined or linked
Examples of yoke in a Sentence
The two oxen were yoked together.
yoked several ideas together to come up with a new theory
Before 12th Century
First Known Use of yoke
before 12th century
YOKE Defined for English Language Learners
Definition of yoke for English Language Learners
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: a bar or frame that is attached to the heads or necks of two work animals (such as oxen) so that they can pull a plow or heavy load
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: something that causes people to be treated cruelly and unfairly especially by taking away their freedom
yoke
Definition of yoke for English Language Learners
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: to connect (two animals) by a yoke
YOKE Defined for Kids
Definition of yoke for Students
1 : a wooden bar or frame by which two work animals (as oxen) are harnessed at the heads or necks for drawing a plow or load
2 : a frame fitted to a person's shoulders to carry a load in two equal parts
3 : a clamp that holds or connects two parts
4 plural usually yoke : two animals yoked together
5 : something that brings about pain, suffering, or a loss of freedom the yoke of tyranny
6 : slavery 1
7 : a fitted or shaped piece at the shoulder of a garment or at the top of a skirt
Definition of yoke for Students
yoked
;yoking
1 : to put a yoke on The oxen were yoked together.
2 : to attach a work animal to Yoke the horse to the wagon.
Learn More about yoke
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See words that rhyme with yoke Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for yoke Spanish Central: Translation of yoke Nglish: Translation of yoke for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of yoke for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about yoke
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