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
Mike Meisenheimer, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
On the other hand, bowl-lift mixers have a stationary head and use a lever to raise and lower the bowl for mixing or adding ingredients.
—Alaina Chou, Bon Appétit, 18 Mar. 2025
Darla Mercado, Cfp®, CNBC, 20 Mar. 2025
Once the roots are about as wide as your finger, harvest carrots by pulling them up with a lifting-twisting motion, or use a gardening fork to gently lever long roots free from the soil.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lever
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Noun
Then, it may be framed as a lever for engagement and given more resources that amplify its impact.
—Mike Meisenheimer, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
On the other hand, bowl-lift mixers have a stationary head and use a lever to raise and lower the bowl for mixing or adding ingredients.
—Alaina Chou, Bon Appétit, 18 Mar. 2025
Verb
Mortgage REITs can be five to seven times levered – that is, five parts debt to one part equity, said Matthew Malone, head of investment management at Opto Investments.
—Darla Mercado, Cfp®, CNBC, 20 Mar. 2025
Once the roots are about as wide as your finger, harvest carrots by pulling them up with a lifting-twisting motion, or use a gardening fork to gently lever long roots free from the soil.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lever
Cite this Entry
“Lever.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lever. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.
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
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