- 1[countable] a long piece of wood that is fastened across the necks of two animals, especially oxen, so that they can pull heavy loads
Definitions on the go
Look up any word in the dictionary offline, anytime, anywhere with the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary app.
- 2[singular] (literary or formal) rough treatment or something that restricts your freedom and makes your life very difficult to bear the yoke of imperialism Young people often chafe under the yoke of parental control.
- 3[countable] a piece of wood that is shaped to fit across a person's shoulders so that they can carry two equal loads
- 4[countable] a part of a dress, skirt, etc. that fits around the shoulders or hips and from which the rest of the cloth hangs
Check pronunciation: yoke