English-English Dictionary

Meaning of the word yoke in English

What does yoke mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.

yoke

US /joʊk/
UK /jəʊk/
"yoke" picture

Noun

1.

a wooden crosspiece that is fastened over the necks of two animals and attached to the plow or cart that they are to pull

Example:
•
The farmer put the yoke on the oxen.
•
Two strong horses were harnessed to the cart with a heavy yoke.
Synonym:
harness coupling bond
2.

a device for joining a pair of draft animals, especially oxen, at the head or neck, for working together

Example:
•
The farmer carefully adjusted the yoke on the pair of oxen.
•
The ancient Egyptians used a simple yoke for their plows.
Synonym:
harness collar tie
3.

something that connects or joins together

Example:
•
The strong family bonds formed a powerful yoke.
•
The shared experience created a unique yoke between them.
Synonym:
bond tie link connection
4.

a burden or something that oppresses

Example:
•
They lived under the yoke of tyranny for decades.
•
The people sought to cast off the yoke of foreign rule.
Synonym:
burden oppression bondage servitude slavery

Verb

1.

to put a yoke on (animals)

Example:
•
They will yoke the oxen to the plow.
•
It took two men to yoke the powerful beasts.
Synonym:
harness hitch couple join
2.

to join or link together

Example:
•
The two companies decided to yoke their resources for the new project.
•
Their destinies were yoked together by fate.
Synonym:
join link connect unite couple
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