A tuning fork is a laboratory instrument used for generating a pure tone at a specific frequency. It consists of a metal prong or tine that is designed to vibrate at a particular frequency when struck against a hard surface. Tuning forks are typically made of steel, but can also be made of other materials such as aluminum or titanium.

They are used in various applications such as tuning musical instruments, testing hearing, and in physics experiments. In laboratory settings, tuning forks can be used to demonstrate phenomena related to wave propagation, resonance, and frequency. Tuning forks can also be used as a calibration standard for frequency measurement devices such as oscilloscopes or frequency counters.