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
Noun
Hopefully, the production version will come with a steering wheel instead of this yoke. Peter Nelson, Ars Technica, 2 May 2024 The game’s purview extends to the downtrodden toiling (and playing, like those youngsters) under the neo-feudal yoke of Shinra, the energy company that doubles as an autocratic city-state. Lewis Gordon, Vulture, 22 Feb. 2024
Verb
McConnell insisted that the United States deliver military aid to Ukraine be yoked to immigration reforms — then, under pressure from Trump, folded like a T-shirt and voted to kill the deal. New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 1 Mar. 2024 Firing at distant targets isn’t the only application the sight may be yoked to. Eric Tegler, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024 See all Example Sentences for yoke 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'yoke.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near yoke

Cite this Entry

“Yoke.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yoke. Accessed 2 Jul. 2024.

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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