tuning fork

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noun

a steel instrument consisting of a stem with two prongs, producing a musical tone of definite, constant pitch when struck, and serving as a standard for tuning musical instruments, making acoustical experiments, and the like.

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Origin of tuning fork

First recorded in 1765–75

Words nearby tuning fork

tunic, tunica, tunicate, tunicle, tuning, tuning fork, tuning head, tuning key, tuning pipe, Tunis, Tunisia

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use tuning fork in a sentence

The first is plush velvet, the second taut and clear as a high C struck on a tuning fork.
At just $10, this Italian red blend is your ideal chocolate dessert pairing|Dave McIntyre|October 28, 2021|Washington Post
After the tapping, the team measured the spiders’ responses to a vibrating tuning fork placed on the web, mimicking a struggling insect.
Assassin bugs tap spiders to distract them before a lethal strike|Jake Buehler|October 28, 2021|Science News
For an article in the Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology, the author must fork over $650 for “handling.”
No, Stem Cells Don't Cause Autism|Kent Sepkowitz|September 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In pot with boiling water, cook potatoes for 15-20 minutes or until potatoes are fork tender.
Epic Meal Empire’s Meat Monstrosities: From the Bacon Spider to the Cinnabattleship|Harley Morenstein|July 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST

It is messy enough to be fork-food for all but the most dexterous eater.
The Most American Pit Stop in the U.S.A.|Jane & Michael Stern|July 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Still, ESPN got its ratings, with 13.1 million people tuning in to the announcement.
The Decision 2: LeBron James Trolls the World… Again|Marlow Stern|July 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Brienne demands the deformed, less savage Clegane brother fork her over, but he refuses, hell-bent on receiving his bounty.
Game of Thrones’ Gwendoline Christie on Brienne of Tarth’s Epic S4 Finale Showdown with The Hound|Marlow Stern|June 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Pearson flung his knife and fork at it, having forgotten to drop those light weapons when he leaped up.
Hunting the Lions|R.M. Ballantyne
She had forced herself to eat most of her soup, and now she was picking the flaky bits of a court bouillon with her fork.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin
Gilbert made a great clatter with his knife and fork, to conceal the laugh that he could not repress.
The World Before Them|Susanna Moodie
Among others, an Abb thrice lifted his fork to his mouth, and thrice laid it down, with an eager stare of surprise.
The Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun;|Various
The coals for the smiths I have also ordered, and the same for the engine to fork the first lift.
Life of Richard Trevithick, Volume II (of 2)|Francis Trevithick

British Dictionary definitions for tuning fork

tuning fork

noun

a two-pronged metal fork that when struck produces a pure note of constant specified pitch. It is used to tune musical instruments and in acoustics

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012