lever

1 of 2

noun

le·​ver ˈle-vər  ˈlē- 

1

a

: a bar used for prying or dislodging something

b

: an inducing or compelling force : tool

use food as a political lever

—Time

2

a

: 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 mechanism sense 1) is operated or adjusted

Illustration of lever

• lever 2a

lever

2 of 2

verb

levered; levering ˈle-və-riŋ 

ˈlē-;

ˈlev-riŋ,

ˈlēv-

transitive verb

1

: to pry, raise, or move with or as if with a lever

2

: to operate (a device) in the manner of a lever

Synonyms

Verb

• jimmy
• prize
• pry

Examples of lever in a Sentence

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

Noun

That leaves two levers: increasing what the hospital gets paid for caring for Medicaid patients, and making sure it gets paid something for care to the uninsured, either by signing them up for Medicaid or through additional government funding. —Meg Wingerter, The Denver Post, 28 Apr. 2024

Only that he’s got an outstanding resume: No one knows the Boeing’s levers and gears, and how to oil and overhaul them, better than this outsider-insider whose hardened in battles for quality, and knows how to win them. —Shawn Tully, Fortune, 27 Apr. 2024

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

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1876, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

lever

1 of 2 noun

le·​ver ˈlev-ər  ˈlē-vər 

1

: a bar used to pry or move something

2

: 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

3

: a bar or rod used to run or adjust something

a gearshift lever

lever

2 of 2 verb

levered; levering ˈlev-(ə-)riŋ 

ˈlēv-

: to pry, raise, or move with a lever

Etymology

Noun

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