noun / verb

fork

A point at which a course divides into separate branches.

A sign at the fork points hikers toward two different trails.

Etymology

The branching shape is compared to a fork with separate prongs. A road, path, or line of development forks where one course becomes two or more.

More examples

  • The river forks into two channels near the coast.
  • We turned left where the road forked.
  • The developers maintain a fork of the original software project.

Forms

fork · forks · forked · forking

Similar words

split
Emphasizes the separation itself rather than its location.
junction
Names a meeting point, not necessarily a branching point.