A yoke is a wooden beam, usually shaped, that fits across the shoulders of a person. It is used for carrying things, usually liquid but other items such as fruit and vegetables can also be carried. When used on an animal, a yokeis a wooden beam used between a pair of oxenor other animals to enable them to pull together on a load when working in pairs, as oxen usually do; some yokes are fitted to individual animals. There are several types of yoke, used in different cultures, and for different types of oxen. Other animals that may be yoked include horse, mules, donkeys and water buffalo.
