/ fɔːk; NAmE fɔːrk/ noun , verb
■ noun
1.
a tool with a handle and three or four sharp points (called prongs ), used for picking up and eating food :
to eat with a knife and fork
2.
a garden tool with a long or short handle and three or four sharp metal points, used for digging
—see also pitchfork
3.
a place where a road, river, etc. divides into two parts; either of these two parts :
Shortly before dusk they reached a fork and took the left-hand track.
Take the right fork.
4.
a thing shaped like a fork, with two or more long parts :
a jagged fork of lightning
—see also tuning fork
5.
either of two metal supporting pieces into which a wheel on a bicycle or motorcycle is fitted
—picture at bicycle
■ verb
1.
[ v , often + adv. / prep. ] (not used in the progressive tenses) ( of a road, river, etc. ) to divide into two parts that lead in different directions :
The path forks at the bottom of the hill.
The road forks right after the bridge.
2.
[ v + adv. / prep. ] (not used in the progressive tenses) ( of a person ) to turn left or right where a road, etc. divides into two :
Fork right after the bridge.
3.
[ vn , often + adv. / prep. ] to move, carry or dig sth using a fork :
Clear the soil of weeds and fork in plenty of compost.
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PHRASAL VERBS
- fork out (for sth) | fork out sth (for / on sth)
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WORD ORIGIN
Old English forca , force (denoting a farm implement), based on Latin furca pitchfork, forked stick; reinforced in Middle English by Anglo-Norman French furke (also from Latin furca ).