noun Uncommon

yoke

yohk

Yoke (noun) means a wooden bar or frame joining two draught animals, such as oxen, at the neck so they can pull a plough or cart together. Example: “The farmer fitted the oxen with a heavy wooden yoke before ploughing the field.”

noun

A wooden bar or frame joining two draught animals, such as oxen, at the neck so they can pull a plough or cart together.

"The farmer fitted the oxen with a heavy wooden yoke before ploughing the field."

The part of a garment that fits around the shoulders or hips, from which the rest hangs.

"The dress had an embroidered yoke across the shoulders."

Figuratively, a burden, bond, or restraint imposed on someone, such as oppression or an obligation.

"The country finally threw off the yoke of foreign rule."

"Marriage was described in the old text as "the marriage yoke.""

verb

To join two draught animals together with a yoke, or attach them to a cart or plough.

"They yoked the oxen at dawn before setting out to plough."

To link or unite two things or people closely, often in a way that feels restrictive.

"The two companies were yoked together by the merger, for better or worse."

How to use yoke

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishLiterally, the wooden crosspiece that joins two animals to pull a load together; figuratively, any burden, bond, or restrictive tie between people or things.

Common mistake

Don't confuse with "yolk," the yellow part of an egg — they sound identical but are spelled and mean completely different things.

Easily confused with

yolk →

Common pairings

yoke oxen together under the yoke of shoulder yoke (clothing)

Word forms

yoked past tense, yokes plural, yokes singular

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The farmer fitted the oxen with a heavy wooden _____ before ploughing the field.

Etymology

From Old English "geoc," from a very old Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to join" — the same root that gives us "yoga" and "jugular."

Origin: Old English

Synonyms

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couple link pair span duo brace coupling twain duet dyad twosome duad

Related words

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Rhymes for yoke

woke coke poke joke toke hoke broke spoke smoke bloke stoke evoke

See all rhymes for yoke →

Frequently asked questions

What does “yoke” mean?

The word “yoke” means a wooden bar or frame joining two draught animals, such as oxen, at the neck so they can pull a plough or cart together. In plain terms, literally, the wooden crosspiece that joins two animals to pull a load together; figuratively, any burden, bond, or restrictive tie between people or things.

How do you pronounce “yoke”?

“Yoke” is pronounced yohk (/joʊk/ in IPA).

How do you use “yoke” in a sentence?

Here is “yoke” used in a sentence: “The farmer fitted the oxen with a heavy wooden yoke before ploughing the field.”

What part of speech is “yoke”?

Depending on how it is used, “yoke” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “yoke” come from?

The word “yoke” comes from Old English. From Old English "geoc," from a very old Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to join" — the same root that gives us "yoga" and "jugular.".

Is “yoke” a common word?

“Yoke” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “yoke” have?

“Yoke” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a wooden bar or frame joining two draught animals, such as oxen, at the neck so they can pull a plough or cart together.

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