pulley

[ pool-ee ]

noun

, plural pul·leys.

1. a wheel, with a grooved rim for carrying a line, that turns in a frame or block and serves to change the direction of or to transmit force, as when one end of the line is pulled to raise a weight at the other end: one of the simple machines.
2. a combination of such wheels in a block, or of such wheels or blocks in a tackle, to increase the force applied.
3. a wheel driven by or driving a belt or the like, used to deliver force to a machine, another belt, etc., at a certain speed and torque.

pulley

/ ˈpʊlɪ /

noun

1. a wheel with a grooved rim in which a rope, chain, or belt can run in order to change the direction or point of application of a force applied to the rope, etc
2. a number of such wheels pivoted in parallel in a block, used to raise heavy loads
3. a wheel with a flat, convex, or grooved rim mounted on a shaft and driven by or driving a belt passing around it

pulley

/ pl′ē /

1. A machine consisting of a wheel over which a pulled rope or chain runs to change the direction of the pull used for lifting a load. Combinations of two or more pulleys working together reduce the force needed to lift a load.
2. See also block and tackle

Other Words From

• pulley·less adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pulley¹

1275–1325; Middle English poley, puly < Middle French polie ≪ Medieval Greek *polídion little pivot, equivalent to pól ( os ) pole ² + -idion diminutive suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of pulley¹

C14 poley, from Old French polie, from Vulgar Latin polidium (unattested), apparently from Late Greek polidion (unattested) a little pole, from Greek polos axis

Example Sentences

As of 1:55 p.m., rescuers had removed dirt down to the trapped man’s thigh but needed to remove more before hoisting him out of the trench using a pulley system, Scott said.

From Los Angeles Times

I saw my patient had opened the door by using a pulley in his mouth.

From New York Times

“A lot of people like to store their lily pads from boating on a hoist,” pulley system, she says.

From Seattle Times

Firefighters conducted a dramatic rescue of the driver, using an aerial ladder and pulley to haul her to safety.

From BBC

They had watched the situation spiral as the protesters stood their ground, refusing to abandon Hamilton Hall and using a pulley system to bring supplies into the building they had occupied.

From Seattle Times