winch

1 of 2

noun

1
: any of various machines or instruments for hauling or pulling
especially : a powerful machine with one or more drums on which to coil a rope, cable, or chain for hauling or hoisting : windlass
2
: a crank with a handle for giving motion to a machine (such as a grindstone)

Illustration of winch

Illustration of winch
  • winch 1

winch

2 of 2

verb

winched; winching; winches

transitive verb

: to hoist or haul with or as if with a winch
wincher noun

Examples of winch in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The winch system will reportedly be used to conduct regular deep-sea and polar survey operations, according to Guangming Daily. Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2024 After running for a while, the bull was wrangled in the middle of the interstate and refused to move, Wade said, noting that crews were finally able to get the bull on a plastic glide and then used a winch to load him into a trailer. Gabrielle Chenault, The Tennessean, 25 Nov. 2024
Verb
The procedure took about two hours of winching to pull the vehicle out of the bog, the Army added. Terry Collins, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2025 The key to actually landing a bass caught near heavy cover is being ready to set the hook and start winching the bass away from its hiding place. Derek Horner, Outdoor Life, 19 Jan. 2023 See All Example Sentences for winch

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English winche roller, reel, from Old English wince; akin to Old English wincian to wink

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1529, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of winch was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Winch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/winch. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

winch

noun
ˈwinch
: a machine that has a roller on which a rope, cable, or chain is wound for pulling or lifting

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