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

The compound bow features mechanical pulleys, telescopic sights and release aids to assist accuracy.

From BBC

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

From New York Times

A team of tree doctors from the Ancient Forest Society rigged ropes and pulleys so they could scale the cinnamon-barked skyscraper and search for signs of trouble.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Seattle Times