Word
prong
US/ˈpɹɔŋ/
UK/pɹˈɒŋ/
Countable noun
Definition
n. 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.
n. 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.”
Examples
simple
“The fork has four sharp prongs.”
contextual
“The lawyer's defense strategy had three main prongs: challenging the evidence, questioning the witness, and arguing for a lesser charge.”
complex
“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.”
Real-World Examples
“For Cliffel, her treatment plan had many prongs.” Etymology
From Middle English pronge, perhaps from Middle Low German prange (“stick, restraining device”), from prangen (“to press, pinch”), from Old Saxon prangan, from Proto-West Germanic prangan, from Proto-Germanic pranganą (“to press”), from Proto-Indo-European (s)preng- (“to wrap up, constrict”). Akin to Lithuanian spriñgti (“to choke, become choked or obstructed”), Latvian sprañgât (“cord, constrict”), Ancient Greek σπαργανόω (sparganóō, “to swaddle”), σπάργανον (spárganon, “swaddling cloth”). See also prank, prance, prink.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/prong