fulcrum

[ fool-kruhm, fuhl- ]

noun

, plural ful·crums, ful·cra [fool, -kr, uh, fuhl, -].

1. the support, or point of rest, on which a lever turns in moving a body.
2. any prop or support.
3. Zoology. any of various structures in an animal serving as a hinge or support.

verb (used with object)

1. to fit with a fulcrum; put a fulcrum on.

fulcrum

/ ˈfʊlkrəm; ˈfʌl- /

noun

1. the pivot about which a lever turns
2. something that supports or sustains; prop
3. a spinelike scale occurring in rows along the anterior edge of the fins in primitive bony fishes such as the sturgeon

fulcrum

/ fl′krəm /

1. The point or support on which a lever turns. The position of the fulcrum, relative to the positions of the load and effort, determines the type of lever.

fulcrum

1. The point on which a lever is balanced when a force is exerted.

Word History and Origins

Origin of fulcrum¹

1665–75; < Latin: back-support of a couch, apparently for fulctrum, equivalent to fulc ( īre ) to hold up, support + -trum noun suffix of instrument

Word History and Origins

Origin of fulcrum¹

C17: from Latin: foot of a couch, bedpost, from fulcire to prop up

Example Sentences

The simplest versions consist of a metal beam from which hang two pans at equal distances from the central support or fulcrum.

From Quanta Magazine

If you think about decarbonization and climate and the environment, technology is the fulcrum.

From Time

We found a highly rated budget shovel that features a new take on shovel design—offering a second lower handle and short arm to act as a fulcrum and offset the energy required to throw the snow off the shovel blade.

From Popular-Science

Even in areas of the Northeast traditionally known more for summer and winter activities, fall has become an unexpected fulcrum of seasonal tourism.

From Eater

Less than 18 months after the 2012 election, the fulcrum of American politics rests once again in Central Florida.

From The Daily Beast

It is, for these two sons, both born in 1964, the fulcrum for their great labors.

From The Daily Beast

The lever of dissent has to be long, and the fulcrum—the immovable determination of the American president—has to be steady.

From The Daily Beast

Give me a lever long enough and a fulcrum on which to place it, and I shall move the world.

From The Daily Beast

The paper was, as Gleick writes, “a fulcrum around which the world began to turn.”

From The Daily Beast

With this fulcrum Bayanne had been moved to negotiate a formal treaty containing all Napoleon's stipulations.

From Project Gutenberg

That human individuality may be maintained, man is uplifted only over the fulcrum of his own will.

From Project Gutenberg

Once allow them to get a fulcrum and they would move the world.

From Project Gutenberg

The fulcrum must be placed above the centre of gravity of the beam.

From Project Gutenberg

The centre of gravity must be as near as possible to the fulcrum.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• blueprint
• clue
• code
• core
• guide
• indicator
• means
• passport
• password
• sign
• ticket