Yoke — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈyōk/

Meaning & Definition of Yoke

Yoke (noun)

  1. a wooden bar or frame by which two draft animals (such as oxen) are joined at the heads or necks for working together
  2. an arched device formerly laid on the neck of a defeated person
  3. a frame fitted to a person's shoulders to carry a load in two equal portions

Yoke (verb)

  1. to put a yoke on
  2. to join in or with a yoke
  3. to attach a draft animal to; also, to attach (a draft animal) to something

Yoke (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the state of being an enslaved person

    "a people able at last to throw off the yoke and to embrace freedom"

    similar: bondage, enslavement, servility, servitude, slavery, thrall, thralldom
    related: peonage, serfdom, dependence, subjection, subjugation, captivity, enchainment, imprisonment, incarceration
    opposite: freedom, liberty
    near: emancipation, enfranchisement, liberation, manumission, autonomy, independence, self-government, sovereignty

Yoke (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to put or bring together so as to form a new and longer whole

    "yoked several ideas together to come up with a new theory"

    similar: catenate, chain, compound, concatenate, conjugate, connect, couple, hitch, hook, interconnect, interlink, join, link
    related: articulate, dovetail, integrate, interlock, intermesh, cord, string, wire, cement, coalesce, combine, fuse, unite, weld
    opposite: disconnect, disjoin, disjoint, dissever, disunite, separate, unchain, uncouple, unhitch, unlink, unyoke
    near: detach, disengage, divide, part, split, cleave, rupture, sever, sunder

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Yoke

The most common words with a similar meaning to Yoke:

bondage, enslavement, servility, servitude, slavery, thrall, thralldom, catenate, chain, compound, concatenate, conjugate, connect, couple, hitch, hook, interconnect, interlink, join, link

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Yoke

Words with the opposite meaning of Yoke:

freedom, liberty, disconnect, disjoin, disjoint, dissever, disunite, separate, unchain, uncouple, unhitch, unlink, unyoke

Related Words for Yoke

peonage, serfdom, dependence, subjection, subjugation, captivity, enchainment, imprisonment, incarceration, articulate, dovetail, integrate, interlock, intermesh, cord, string, wire, cement, coalesce, combine, fuse, unite, weld

Near Antonyms of Yoke

emancipation, enfranchisement, liberation, manumission, autonomy, independence, self-government, sovereignty, detach, disengage, divide, part, split, cleave, rupture, sever, sunder

Word Forms of Yoke

Inflections: yokes, yoked, yoking

Origin & Etymology of Yoke

Middle English yok, from Old English geoc; akin to Old High German joh yoke, Latin jugum, Greek zygon, Sanskrit yuga, Latin jungere to join

First known use: before 12th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Yoke

What does "Yoke" mean?

"Yoke" means a wooden bar or frame by which two draft animals (such as oxen) are joined at the heads or necks for working together. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a wooden bar or frame by which two draft animals (such as oxen) are joined at the heads or necks for working together. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Yoke"?

Other words for "Yoke" include bondage, enslavement, servility, servitude, slavery, thrall, thralldom and catenate. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Yoke" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Yoke"?

There are 43 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Yoke". Common alternatives include bondage, enslavement, servility, servitude, slavery, thrall, thralldom, catenate, chain and compound.

What is the opposite of "Yoke"?

Antonyms of "Yoke" include freedom, liberty, disconnect, disjoin, disjoint, dissever, disunite and separate. Near antonyms include emancipation, enfranchisement, liberation and manumission.

How do you use "Yoke" in a sentence?

Examples of "Yoke" in a sentence: "a people able at last to throw off the yoke and to embrace freedom"; "yoked several ideas together to come up with a new theory".

Is "Yoke" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Yoke" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Yoke"?

"Yoke" is pronounced /ˈyōk/.

What is the origin of the word "Yoke"?

"Yoke" comes from Middle English yok, from Old English geoc; akin to Old High German joh yoke, Latin jugum, Greek zygon, Sanskrit yuga, Latin jungere to join. First known use: before 12th century.