An Encylopedia Britannica Company

May 18, 2017 Word of the Day

yoke /ˈjoʊk/ noun
yoke
/ˈjoʊk/
noun

plural yokes

Two oxen in a yoke
Two oxen in a yoke
Definition of YOKE

1 [count] : a bar or frame that is attached to the heads or necks of two work animals (such as oxen) so that they can pull a plow or heavy load

2 [singular] formal + literary : something that causes people to be treated cruelly and unfairly especially by taking away their freedom — + of

  • The country has struggled to free itself from the yoke of foreign rule.

  • the yoke of tyranny

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