tuning fork

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.

Origin of tuning fork

First recorded in 1765–75

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for tuning fork

Contemporary Examples of tuning fork

The incommunicable thrill of things, that is the tuning-fork by which we test the flatness of our art.
Must Read Novels: Ballard, Dybek, and Krasznahorkai
Jacob Silverman, Malcolm Forbes, John McIntyre
April 23, 2012

Historical Examples of tuning fork

As for Jacob, he has nothing but his tuning-fork and a seat with the rest.
The Dew of Their Youth
S. R. Crockett
These requirements are best met by a tuning-fork of not too low a pitch.
Spiders
Cecil Warburton
The twang of the tuning-fork was drowned by a succession of cries.
Old Caravan Days
Mary Hartwell Catherwood
Like his ancestor at Dunbar, he struck his tuning-fork on his sword.
All Men are Ghosts
L. P. Jacks
This he did at the beginning of every verse by striking a tuning-fork on his bloody sword.
All Men are Ghosts
L. P. Jacks

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

Word Origin and History for tuning fork

1799, from gerundive of tune (v.) + fork (n.). Invented 1711 by John Shore.