Ford

Pronunciation

• GenAm IPA: /fɔɹd/, /foɹd/
• RP IPA: /fɔːd/
• Rhymes: -ɔː(ɹ)d

Alternative forms

• foorth obsolete, 14th century

Origin

From Old English ford, from Proto-Germanic *furduz, from Proto-Indo-European *pértus ("crossing"). Cognate with English firth, fjord (via Old Norse), German Furt, and more distantly with port (via Latin).

Full definition of ford

Noun

1. A location where a stream is shallow and the bottom has good footing, making it possible to cross from one side to the other with no bridge, by walking, riding, or driving through the water; a crossing.
• Sir Walter ScottHe swam the Esk river where ford there was none.
2. A stream; a current.
• SpenserWith water of the ford
  Or of the clouds.
• DrydenPermit my ghost to pass the Stygian ford.

Verb

1. To cross a stream using a ford.