lever

¹

[ lev-er, lee-ver ]

noun

1. Mechanics. a rigid bar that pivots about one point and that is used to move an object at a second point by a force applied at a third. Compare machine ( def 4b ).
2. a tool, as a pry or a crowbar, for raising, moving, or opening something by leverage:

   There's a small lever in my toolbox that'll be perfect for prying off these narrow moldings.

3. a handle or bar that is manipulated to operate, control, or adjust a machine, mechanism, etc.:

   Pushing down the lever on the left will automatically open the door.

4. a means or agency of persuading or of achieving an end:

   Saying that the chairman of the board likes the plan is just a lever to get us to support it.

5. Horology. the pallet of an escapement.

verb (used with or without object)

1. to move with or apply a lever:

   to lever a rock; to lever mightily and to no avail.

Lever

²

[ lee-ver ]

noun

1. Charles James Cornelius O'Dowd, 1806–72, Irish novelist and essayist.

lever

/ ˈliːvə /

noun

1. a rigid bar pivoted about a fulcrum, used to transfer a force to a load and usually to provide a mechanical advantage
2. any of a number of mechanical devices employing this principle
3. a means of exerting pressure in order to accomplish something; strategic aid

verb

1. to prise or move (an object) with a lever

lever

/ lĕv′ər /

1. A simple machine consisting of a bar that pivots on a fixed support, or fulcrum , and is used to transmit torque . A force applied by pushing down on one end of the lever results in a force pushing up at the other end. If the fulcrum is not positioned in the middle of the lever, then the force applied to one end will not yield the same force on the other, since the torque must be the same on either side of the fulcrum. Levers, like gears, can thus be used to increase the force available from a mechanical power source.
2. See more at fulcrumSee also mechanical advantage

Derived Forms

• ˈlever-ˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• re·lever verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of lever¹

1250–1300; Middle English levere, levour for *lever < Anglo-French; Old French levier, equivalent to lev ( er ) to lift (< Latin levāre to lighten, lift, verbal derivative of levis light) + -ier -ier ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of lever¹

C13: from Old French leveour, from lever to raise, from Latin levāre, from levis light

Example Sentences

“Should his administration attempt to impose the dangerous Project 2025 agenda, it will unleash an all-out assault on rights and freedoms, using every lever of government — from attacks on abortion and contraception in the United States to reimposing the global gag rule and gutting U.S. international family planning aid.”

From Salon

“They have all the authority and the power in the world. They can pull a lever and everything moves. So, you gotta kind of question why they’re doing that.”

From Salon

Their poll found that the candidates were tied in the state with 47% of likely voters pulling the lever for both Harris and Trump.

From Salon

But critics said the Budget was the new government's main lever of change, and that therefore leaving it so long after taking office was a political error.

From BBC

The list of Republican elected officials pulling the lever for Kamala Harris in November keeps growing.

From Salon

Related Words

• crowbar
• pedal
• tool