pincer

noun

pin·​cer ˈpin(t)-sər 

 especially for sense 1 US often  ˈpin-chər

1

a

pincers plural : an instrument having two short handles and two grasping jaws working on a pivot and used for gripping things

b

: a claw (as of a lobster) resembling a pair of pincers : chela

2

: pincer movement

pincerlike

ˈpin(t)-sər-ˌlīk 

adjective

Examples of pincer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

If a scorpion has big pincers, that means the venom is low. —Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 9 Apr. 2025

The robot itself appears pretty unremarkable, just a pair of mechanical arms with pincers. —Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 17 Mar. 2025

Once every few decades, a scientist plucks the cylinder from its perch with chamois-leather-padded pincers, rubs its surface with a cloth soaked in alcohol and ether, and steam-cleans it. —IEEE Spectrum, 30 Apr. 2012

AfD and The Left’s gains are creating a pincer effect on the center. —Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 24 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English pinceour, from Anglo-French *pinceour, pinchure, from Anglo-French *pincher, pincer to pinch, from Vulgar Latin *pinctiare, *punctiare, from Latin punctum puncture — more at point

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing pincer

• pincer movement

Rhymes for pincer

• mincer

Kids Definition

pincer

noun

pin·​cer ˈpin-chər 

ˈpin(t)-sər

1

plural : an instrument having two handles and two jaws that is used to grip things

2

: a claw (as of a lobster) resembling a pair of pincers

pincerlike

-ˌlīk 

adjective