Definition of yoke

The word "yoke" comes from the Old English word "ycgan," which meant "to join" or "unify." The yoke itself is a rectangular or U-shaped wooden or metal bar that is placed over the necks of two animals, typically oxen or cattle, to enable them to pull a plow or cart in a coordinated manner. The term "yoke" has since been extended to describe a variety of situations where two things are joined together, particularly in a subordinate or dependent relationship. For example, in agricultural machinery, the yoke is the bar that connects two wheels to enable them to turn in a coordinated manner. In a business context, a yoke might represent the sharing of resources, such as machinery or personnel, between two affiliated companies. In any case, the origin of the word "yoke" lies in its original meaning of joining or unifying things together.