Illustration of lever
- lever 2a
1
a
: a bar used for prying or dislodging something
b
: an inducing or compelling force : tool
… use food as a political lever …—
Time
Time2
a
: a rigid piece that transmits and modifies force or motion when forces are applied at two points and it turns about a third
specifically
: a rigid bar used to exert a pressure or sustain a weight at one point of its length by the application of a force at a second and turning at a third on a fulcrum
b
: a projecting piece by which a mechanism (see mechanism sense 1) is operated or adjusted
levered; levering
ˈle-və-riŋ 
ˈlē-;
ˈlev-riŋ,
ˈlēv-
1
: to pry, raise, or move with or as if with a lever
2
: to operate (a device) in the manner of a lever
Examples of lever in a Sentence
Noun
They used their money as a lever to gain political power.
Verb
He levered the rock out of the hole.
the workers used crowbars to lever the heavy stone block into its new position
Recent Examples on the Web
Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 15 May 2026
The best lever might be for the EBU to privilege the jury more than fan voting — but that would undermine the populist nature of the contest and potentially turn many viewers off.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
Brian Sullivan, CNBC, 6 May 2026
While mega-cap deals are often levered at over four times EBITDA, lower middle market platforms frequently begin closer to two- to three-times EBITDA.
—Varun Parikh, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lever
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Noun
In terms of what a hypothetical bipartisan bill to limit gerrymandering might look like, there are a number of different proposals for how to accomplish something like it, and there are at least a few different levers that reformers could potentially pull.
—Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 15 May 2026
The best lever might be for the EBU to privilege the jury more than fan voting — but that would undermine the populist nature of the contest and potentially turn many viewers off.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
Verb
It's got a $27 target and thinks HMH is nicely levered to their expectations for a recovery in offshore oil drilling next year.
—Brian Sullivan, CNBC, 6 May 2026
While mega-cap deals are often levered at over four times EBITDA, lower middle market platforms frequently begin closer to two- to three-times EBITDA.
—Varun Parikh, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lever
Cite this Entry
“Lever.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lever. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
1
: a bar used to pry or move something
2
: a stiff bar for applying a force (as for lifting a weight) at one point of its length by effort at a second point and turning at a third point on a fulcrum
3
: a bar or rod used to run or adjust something
a gearshift lever
Etymology
Noun
Middle English lever "bar for prying," from early French levier (same meaning), from lever (verb) "to raise," from Latin levare "to raise" — related to elevate
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
