fork
Plural
forks
1
an object with a handle and three or four sharp points that we use for picking up and eating food
A fork is a utensil with a handle and usually two or more prongs, used for lifting, turning, or eating food. It typically consists of a narrow, elongated handle attached to a wider end with prongs or tines. Forks are commonly made from materials such as stainless steel, silver, or plastic, and they come in various sizes and designs to suit different culinary purposes.
- I gently tapped the glass with a fork to make a sound.
- I used a fork to eat the spaghetti.
- I usually use a fork to cut into a tender piece of meat.
- The children used a plastic fork to eat their pasta.
- They pierced the steak with a fork to check its doneness.
2
a gardening tool with a handle and three or four sharp points, used for digging or moving hay
A fork is a gardening tool with a handle and several long, pointed prongs made of metal, used for digging, loosening soil, or turning over compost. It is helpful for tasks like breaking up hard soil, mixing fertilizers into the ground, or removing weeds and roots from the soil. Garden forks come in different sizes, with some being small for detailed work and others being larger for heavy-duty tasks. The design makes it easy to work with soil in gardens or farming areas.
- The fork's tines were perfect for breaking up compacted dirt.
- She enjoyed using a fork to mix compost into her garden bed.
- He found the fork useful for turning over leaves in the fall.
- He relied on the fork to mix soil amendments into his potting mix.
- She used the fork to prepare the vegetable patch for planting.
3
the action of dividing or branching into separate parts
Synonyms:
4
the area at the junction where two branches meet, forming an angle
Synonyms:
5
the angle formed where the legs join the human body
Synonyms:
6
one of the branches formed when a river, road, or path splits into two or more parts
7
a chess tactic in which one piece simultaneously attacks two or more of the opponent's pieces, forcing a choice on which to save
In chess, a fork is a tactical move where a single piece attacks two or more enemy pieces at the same time. While knights are the most common pieces to create forks, any piece, including pawns, can deliver this tactic. The purpose of a fork is to force the opponent to save only one of the threatened pieces, leaving the other to be captured. Forks are powerful because they often lead to gaining material or achieving a positional advantage, making them an essential part of chess strategy and tactics.
8
a point where the path splits into two different directions
A fork is a point where a single route divides into two separate paths. It occurs when a road, trail, or path branches off, offering travelers a choice of direction to follow. Forks can be found in both natural settings, like hiking trails, or in roads where one must decide which way to go. These points are often marked with signs or other indicators to guide people in choosing the correct route.
- When driving through the countryside, we encountered a fork in the road and had to decide whether to turn left or right.
- The map showed a clear fork in the road ahead, indicating two possible routes to our destination.
- We took the left fork in the road, hoping it would lead us to the scenic overlook as marked on the tourist guide.
- After the storm, debris blocked the right fork in the road, so we had to take the left path to avoid the obstruction.
- The fork in the road was marked with a weathered signpost, barely readable after years of exposure to the elements.
9
the double-armed structure that holds the front wheel of a motorcycle or bicycle in place and connects it to the handlebars, typically housing the suspension system
- The fork helps the motorcycle turn left or right.
- A strong fork makes the ride feel smoother.
- If the fork is damaged, the bike can become hard to steer.
- I swapped out the old fork — the new one rides way better.
- Regular maintenance of the motorcycle fork ensures optimal steering precision and shock absorption.