winch

1 of 2

noun

ˈwinch 

1

: any of various machines or instruments for hauling or pulling

especially : a powerful machine with one or more drums on which to coil a rope, cable, or chain for hauling or hoisting : windlass

2

: a crank with a handle for giving motion to a machine (such as a grindstone)

Illustration of winch

• winch 1

winch

2 of 2

verb

winched; winching; winches

transitive verb

: to hoist or haul with or as if with a winch

wincher noun

Examples of winch in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Credit also goes to the company Flying by Foy, a leading specialist in aerial effects, for the rigging, tracks and winches, and aerial designers Gwyneth Larsen and Billy Mulholland. —ABC News, 1 June 2026

Authorities said the helicopter was called to Moogerah Peaks National Park, Australia, after a hiker fell and was hurt, prompting paramedics to be lowered by winch to provide treatment and extract two people. —Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026

Verb

But the strong breeze proved too hazardous to safely winch all 12 boats into the water in time for the scheduled 3 p.m. start. —Andrew Rice, New York Times, 31 May 2026

An officer was lowered from the helicopter and, just after midnight, safely winched the cyclist out — bringing the tense situation to an end. —Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 8 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English winche roller, reel, from Old English wince; akin to Old English wincian to wink

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1529, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for winch

• cinch
• finch
• flinch
• inch
• lynch
• pinch
• synch
• bullfinch
• goldfinch

Kids Definition

winch

noun

ˈwinch

: a machine that has a roller on which a rope, cable, or chain is wound for pulling or lifting