prong

American  

[prawng, prong] / prɔŋ, prɒŋ /

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.

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verb (used with object)

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

2. to supply with prongs.

prong British  

/ prɒŋ /

noun

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

2. any pointed projecting part

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verb

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

Other Word Forms

• pronged adjective

Etymology

Origin of prong

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

Example Sentences

Close to 60 defendants have been convicted, and federal prosecutors last week charged the 78th person in a prong of the cases that authorities called “the largest Covid-19 fraud scheme in the country.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 5, 2025

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

From Barron's • Nov. 10, 2025

This brings us to the next behavioral prong of CBT-I: changing your habits for getting in and out of bed.

From Slate • Jul. 19, 2025

Dong is especially excited about SinoProbe II’s third prong: ultradeep drilling.

From Science Magazine • Nov. 17, 2024

A dozen times one prong was unfastened and a nickel fished out with a knife to provide Johnny with car-fare to get to a job.

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith