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

The next fulcrum in that war could hinge on whether Israel decides to pursue Hamas in the southern city of Rafah, where more than a million Palestinians have fled amid a spiraling humanitarian crisis. —Adam Rasgon, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2024

At all times, even off-screen, Tashi remains the fulcrum. —Peter Debruge, Variety, 12 Apr. 2024

The family unit is still the center of society across many Latin American, Asian, and European cultures, and older people are the fulcrums of that dynamic. —Kathleen Peddicord, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024

In her memoir, the e-mail marks the fulcrum between the secrecy of her past and her more open future. —Emily Witt, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2024

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

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

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

Kids Definition

fulcrum

noun

ful·​crum ˈfu̇l-krəm  ˈfəl- 

plural fulcrums or fulcra -krə 

: the support about which a lever turns