Definition of 'yoke'
Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular present tense yokes
, present participle yoking
, past tense, past participle yoked
1. singular noun [adjective NOUN]
2. countable noun
3. verb
If two or more people or things are yoked together, they are forced to be closely linked with each other.
They want their own currency instead of being yoked into someone else's monetary
system. [V n + to/into]
Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
You may also like
Word Frequency
yoke in British English
nounWord forms: plural yokes or yoke
1.
2.
3.
5.
a pair of oxen or other draught animals joined together by a yoke
6.
a part, esp one of relatively thick cross section, that secures two or more components so that they move together
7.
a crosshead that transmits the drive of an opposed piston engine from the upper of a pair of linked pistons to the crankshaft through a connecting rod
9. nautical
a crossbar fixed athwartships to the head of a rudderpost in a small boat, to which are attached ropes or cables for steering
11.
12.
14. British dialect
verb
16. (transitive)
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Derived forms
yokeless (ˈyokeless) adjective
Word origin
Old English geoc; related to Old High German ioh, Old Norse ok, Gothic juk, Latin iugum, Sanskrit yugamWord Frequency
yoke in American Englishfor 2 1
(jouk) (noun plural for 1, 3–20 yokes or yoke, verb yoked, yoking)
noun
1.
a device for joining together a pair of draft animals, esp. oxen, usually consisting of a crosspiece with two bow-shaped pieces, each enclosing the head of an animal
Compare harness (sense 1)3.
something resembling a yoke or a bow of a yoke in form or use
4.
a frame fitting the neck and shoulders of a person, for carrying a pair of buckets
or the like, one at each end
5.
6.
7.
something that couples or binds together; a bond or tie
9. Also called: fork
10.
11.
a crosshead attached to the upper piston of an opposed-piston engine with rods to
transmit power to the crankshaft
12. (in an airplane)
13. Nautical
14. See spreader beam
15.
a shaped piece in a garment, fitted about or below the neck and shoulders or about
the hips, from which the rest of the garment hangs
16.
18. Television
19. Brit dialect (esp in Kent)
a.
the time during which a plowman and team work without stopping; a period of plowing
b.
a measure or area of land equal to over 50 but less than 60 acres
20.
transitive verb
21.
to put a yoke on; join or couple by means of a yoke
22.
to attach (a draft animal) to a plow or vehicle
to yoke oxen
23.
to harness a draft animal to (a plow or vehicle)
to yoke a wagon
24.
to join, couple, link, or unite
25. obsolete
to bring into subjection or servitude
intransitive verb
SYNONYMS 2. See pair1.26.
to be or become joined, linked, or united
Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019
by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Derived forms
yokeless adjective
Word origin
[bef. 900; (n.) ME yok(e), OE geoc; c. D juk, G Joch, ON ok, L jugum, Gk zygón, Hittite yugan, Skt yuga; (v.) ME yoken, OE geocian, deriv. of the n.]Word Frequency
yoke in American English 2
(jouk)
noun
Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019
by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Examples of 'yoke' in a sentence
yoke
These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content that does not reflect the opinions or policies of Collins, or its parent company HarperCollins.
We welcome feedback: report an example sentence to the Collins team. Read more…
yoke
parts of clothes parts of clothingQuick word challenge
Quiz Review
Question: 1
-
Score: 0 / 5
Which part of clothing am I?
a frill or ruffle on the breast or throat of a garment, originally to hide the closure of a shirt
Which part of clothing am I?
an ornamental gathered ruffle sewn to a garment by its top edge
Which part of clothing am I?
the upper part of a woman's dress, from the shoulder to the waist
Which part of clothing am I?
an inset piece of material used esp to strengthen or enlarge a garment
Your score:
Trends of
yoke
View usage for:
Source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Browse alphabetically
yoke
Related terms of
yoke
Source
Definition of yoke from the Collins English Dictionary
Read about the team of authors behind Collins Dictionaries.
Quick word challenge
Quiz Review
Question: 1
-
Score: 0 / 5
HOUSEHOLD
Drag the correct answer into the box.
dining table
coffee table
dressing table
clothes horse
HOUSEHOLD
Drag the correct answer into the box.
bin
mop
bookcase
table
Your score:
Word of the day
braaivleis
a picnic at which meat is cooked over an open fire ; a barbecue
Collins English Dictionary Apps
Download our English Dictionary apps - available for both iOS and Android.
Read more
Collins Dictionaries for Schools
Our new online dictionaries for schools provide a safe and appropriate environment for children. And best of all it's ad free, so sign up now and start using at home or in the classroom.
Read more
Word lists
We have almost 200 lists of words from topics as varied as types of butterflies, jackets, currencies, vegetables and knots!
Amaze your friends with your new-found knowledge!
Read more
Quick word challenge
Quiz Review
Question: 1
-
Score: 0 / 5
negative view
or
ocean views?
Which version is correct?
complex plot
or
vegetable plot?
Which version is correct?
draft proposal
or
takeover proposal?
Which version is correct?
slurred speech
or
victory speech?
Which version is correct?
environmental damage
or
nerve damage?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
environmental damage
nerve damage
Rescue workers were trying to limit any .
Your score:
Learning English: countable and uncountable nouns
Discover more about the differences between countable and uncountable nouns in our latest Learning English blog.
Read more
Learning English: Months of the year
Learn how to speak about the months of the year, and give information about important dates. Improve your English with Collins.
Read more
Learning English: Days of the week
Learn how to discuss what happens on different days of the week, whether you want to make plans for the day or talk about weekly routines.
Read more
Learning English: Going shopping
Discover some useful English expressions to use while you're out at the shops in this week's Learning English blog.
Read more
Collins English Dictionary Apps
Download our English Dictionary apps - available for both iOS and Android.
Read more
Collins Dictionaries for Schools
Our new online dictionaries for schools provide a safe and appropriate environment for children. And best of all it's ad free, so sign up now and start using at home or in the classroom.
Read more
Word lists
We have almost 200 lists of words from topics as varied as types of butterflies, jackets, currencies, vegetables and knots!
Amaze your friends with your new-found knowledge!
Read more