tuning fork

American  

noun

1. 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.

---

tuning fork British  

noun

1. 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

---

Etymology

Origin of tuning fork

First recorded in 1765–75

Example Sentences

Whether that came from the lymphatic drainage or the fascia work, the tuning fork or just 90 minutes of focused attention, I couldn’t say.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 9, 2025

Be “meticulously thoughtful” about one’s needs and comforts, hence the tuning fork.

From Salon • Aug. 3, 2025

On average, the spiders shot their web at the live prey when it came within 1.5 centimeters of their web, and at the tuning fork when it was 2.9 centimeters from their web.

From Science Magazine • Dec. 4, 2024

Along the tines of the tuning fork are spiral galaxies that do have gas and star-forming regions along their compact arms.

From Science Daily • Nov. 21, 2023

I thought of the tuning fork I used to adjust my cello.

From "If I Stay" by Gayle Forman