fulcrum

noun

ful·​crum ˈfu̇l-krəm How to pronounce fulcrum (audio) ˈfəl- How to pronounce fulcrum (audio)
plural fulcrums or fulcra ˈfu̇l-krə How to pronounce fulcrum (audio)
ˈfəl-
1
a
: prop
specifically : the support about which a lever turns
the camera moves on a fixed fulcrum, either horizontally (panning) or vertically (tilting) Gerald Mast
b
: one that supplies capability for action
he is … the reader's eyes and ears and the fulcrum of his judgmentBernard De Voto
2
: a part of an animal that serves as a hinge or support

Did you know?

Fulcrum, which means "bedpost" in Latin, comes from the verb fulcire, which means "to prop." When the word fulcrum was first used in the 17th century, it referred to the point on which a lever or similar device (such as the oar of a boat) is supported. The literal use easily supported figurative use, and it didn't take long for the word to develop a meaning referring to one deemed essential to the function or development of something. Despite fulcrum's multiple senses, the word's meanings have kept a steady theme. In zoology, fulcrum refers to a part of an animal that serves as a hinge or support, such as the joint supporting a bird's wing.

Examples of fulcrum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The fulcrum is Kenan Blackshear (16.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.6 assists), an emergency solution last season as a 6-6 point guard who grew into the position, backing down smaller defenders and shooting fallaway jumpers in the lane. Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Jan. 2024 This type uses the lever and fulcrum method (and strength) to pop the cork. Maya Polton, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Feb. 2024 This horrific pogrom creates the fulcrum for Słobodzianek’s play, which follows ten classmates in Jedwabne, five Catholic and five Jewish, from early childhood to the end of each of their lives. Sara Holdren, Vulture, 25 Jan. 2024 The fulcrum to the offense is Isaiah Stevens, the conference preseason player of the year and among 10 finalists for the Bob Cousy Award for the nation’s top point guard. Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Feb. 2024 Become a Subscriber While the novel works its way up to the Arab Spring as a climactic revelation of character, the fulcrum of My Friends is one of those extraordinary events lost to history. Ben Rhodes, The Atlantic, 12 Jan. 2024 While Barrino is the film’s fulcrum, a cast of characters surround her gentle introvert. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 19 Dec. 2023 The fulcrum of the run defense, Grover Stewart, was suspended for six games. The Indianapolis Star, 4 Jan. 2024 The burn-it-down fringe that emerged in the early hours of Barack Obama’s presidency has moved to the center of the power dynamics, and the ultra-conservative Freedom Caucus—of which Jordan was a founding chairman—now finds a hub near the fulcrum of most Republican choices. Philip Elliott, TIME, 19 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fulcrum.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin, from Latin, bedpost, from fulcire to prop — more at balk entry 2

First Known Use

1659, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of fulcrum was in 1659

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Dictionary Entries Near fulcrum

Cite this Entry

“Fulcrum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fulcrum. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

fulcrum

noun
ful·​crum ˈfu̇l-krəm How to pronounce fulcrum (audio) ˈfəl- How to pronounce fulcrum (audio)
plural fulcrums or fulcra -krə How to pronounce fulcrum (audio)
: the support about which a lever turns

More from Merriam-Webster on fulcrum

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