fulcrum

noun

ful·​crum ˈfu̇l-krəm  ˈfəl- 

plural fulcrums or fulcra ˈfu̇l-krə 

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 judgment

—Bernard 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

So the government would have to find the right fulcrum point to balance its revenue needs with consumer demand. —David Goldman, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2025

Over the next few weeks (yes, this an epic weeks-spanning event), Rome, already a spiritual fulcrum, will become a nexus of pilgrims, press, politicians, and protocol, and of tennis fans for the Italian Open, taking place May 6 to 18, 2025. —Erica Firpo, AFAR Media, 22 Apr. 2025

But there’s an extraordinary responsibility with taking on writing of that quality and also obviously just being aware of the importance of that episode as a fulcrum in the story and killing off Pedro’s character. —James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 21 Apr. 2025

For example, the fulcrum for flooding is the middle Mississippi River reach located between the confluence of the Missouri and Ohio rivers. —John Sabo, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025

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

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Kids Definition

fulcrum

noun

ful·​crum ˈfu̇l-krəm  ˈfəl- 

plural fulcrums or fulcra -krə 

: the support about which a lever turns