# prong

/ˈpɹɔŋ/ (US) · /pɹˈɒŋ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/prong
Updated: 2026-05-25

## Definition

one of the sharp, pointed parts of a fork or a tool. It can also mean one of the main parts of a plan or a system.

For teachers: a sharp, pointed projection or tine, such as those on a fork or a comb. In a figurative sense, it refers to one of the primary components or branches of a complex system or strategy.

## Examples

- The fork has four sharp prongs.
- The lawyer's defense strategy had three main prongs: challenging the evidence, questioning the witness, and arguing for a lesser charge.
- The new environmental policy consists of three distinct prongs: reducing carbon emissions, increasing renewable energy subsidies, and implementing stricter waste management regulations across all industrial sectors.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.