yoke

1 of 2

noun

plural yokes
1
a
: a wooden bar or frame by which two draft animals (such as oxen) are joined at the heads or necks for working together
b
: an arched device formerly laid on the neck of a defeated person
c
: a frame fitted to a person's shoulders to carry a load in two equal portions
d
: a bar by which the end of the tongue of a wagon or carriage is suspended from the collars of the harness
e(1)
: a crosspiece on the head of a boat's rudder
(2)
: an airplane control operating the elevators and ailerons
f
: a frame from which a bell is hung
g
: 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
3
a(1)
: an oppressive agency
b
: tie, link
especially : marriage
4
: a fitted or shaped piece at the top of a skirt or at the shoulder of various garments

yoke

2 of 2

verb

yoked; yoking

transitive verb

1
a(1)
: to put a yoke on
(2)
: to join in or with a yoke
b
: 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

Noun a people able at last to throw off the yoke and to embrace freedom Verb The two oxen were yoked together. yoked several ideas together to come up with a new theory
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
This dress has a seven-button front, double chest patch pockets, and a seamed back yoke. Jamie Allison Sanders, People.com, 29 Aug. 2025 In self-drive mode, the yoke wheel folds into the dashboard, and the center screen slides over to cover it; the pedals retract into the footwell. Brad Templeton, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Verb
One such example can be found in the Latin mythological text Fabulae, in which the sisters of Phaethon are transformed into poplar trees as punishment for yoking his chariot without their father’s permission. Ellen Walker, JSTOR Daily, 3 Sep. 2025 It is yoked to no particular emotional state, and emerges just as often when the actor is conveying deep glee or charming irony as when his character is lost in sorrow. Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 2 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for yoke

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

Noun

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

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a(1)

Time Traveler
The first known use of yoke was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Yoke.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yoke. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

yoke

1 of 2 noun
plural yokes
1
a
: a wooden bar or frame by which two work animals (as oxen) are joined at their heads or necks for pulling a plow or load
b
: a frame fitted to a person's shoulders to carry a load in two equal portions
c
: a clamp or brace that holds or unites two parts
2
plural usually yoke : two animals yoked together
3
4
: tie, link
the yoke of matrimony
5
: a fitted or shaped piece at the top of a skirt or at the shoulder of a garment

yoke

2 of 2 verb
yoked; yoking
1
: to put a yoke on
2
: to attach (a work animal) to something
yoke a horse to a cart
3
: to join as if by a yoke
4
: to put to work

More from Merriam-Webster on yoke

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