prong

[prawng, prong]

noun

1. one of the pointed tines of a fork.

2. any pointed, projecting part, as of an antler.

   Synonyms: spur, tooth, hook

3. a branch of a stream.

4. Jewelry.,  a tapering metal projection, usually heavier than a claw, rising from the base of a jewelry setting and used to hold a stone in position as needed.

verb (used with object)

1. to pierce or stab with or as if with a prong.

2. to supply with prongs.

prong

/ prɒŋ /

noun

1. a sharply pointed end of an instrument, such as on a fork

2. any pointed projecting part

verb

1. (tr) to prick or spear with or as if with a prong

Other Word Forms

• pronged adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of prong¹

1400–50; late Middle English pronge, prange pain, affliction, pointed instrument; akin to Old Swedish prang gorge, narrow street, Middle Low German prange stake, prangen to press, Gothic anaprangan to oppress

Word History and Origins

Origin of prong¹

C15: related to Middle Low German prange a stake, Gothic anaprangan to afflict

Example Sentences

And that comes to the second prong of the agreement: rejecting certain credit cards.

Read more on Barron's

But these tariffs, a key prong of his "America First" trade policy aimed at protecting and boosting US industries, swiftly faced legal challenges.

Read more on Barron's

Faced with contradictory data about two prongs of a mandate in conflict, he must pick one to focus on—with a President sniping at him to ease money at every opportunity.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

This ruling on immigration enforcement goes hand-in-hand with that military deployment, two prongs in a strategy to wear away our outrage and shock at the dismantling of civil rights.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Not long after, while she was working in her corner of the lot, the idea of “Diggin’ Bridge” and its various prongs and phases — from archive-building to a documentary production to exhibition — took hold.

Read more on Los Angeles Times