: 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 mechanismsense 1) is operated or adjusted
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
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
When recovered, the rifle was loaded with high-powered ammunition capable of piercing standard body armor and ready to fire, with the scope caps flipped open, the selector lever set to fire and a round chambered.—Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 28 Feb. 2025 The new reality of our function requires transforming top line items into business performance levers that drive ROI.—Marcy Klipfel, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
Verb
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 The main entrance boasts a double-doored vestibule that acts like an airlock for radio waves; anyone hoping to enter must lever one door closed before opening the other one.—IEEE Spectrum, 28 Nov. 2017 See All Example Sentences for lever
Word History
Etymology
Noun and Verb
Middle English, from Anglo-French levier, lever, from lever to raise, from Latin levare, from levis light in weight — more at light
: 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
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
Share