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 of lever

Verb

• pry
• pull
• lift

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

Their time to strike is now, heading into 2026 free agency with roughly $28 million in current cap room — hovering in the top third of all NFL teams, according to Over The Cap — and plenty of levers to pull to create more space and throw money around in the market. —Luca Evans, Denver Post, 6 Mar. 2026

Although the current war in the Middle East has brought plenty of question marks for global supply chains, DHL CEO Tobias Meyer feels the international logistics giant has levers to pull to keep freight operations in the region running. —Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 6 Mar. 2026

Verb

The combination of multiple uncertainties is resulting in a pullback in stocks most levered to the economy – the financials, consumer discretionary, and the industrials, while investors rotate into more resilient sectors like consumer staples and health care. —Jeff Marks, CNBC, 23 Feb. 2026

Whatever levers the Canucks opt to pull, there are a variety of ways for Vancouver to get creative in pursuit of getting the absolute best possible return for a relatively unique trade asset like Sherwood. —Thomas Drance, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French levier, lever, from lever to raise, from Latin levare, from levis light in weight — more at light

Verb

derivative of lever entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

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

Verb

1876, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for lever

• bever
• clever
• ever
• haver
• never
• rever
• sever
• cantilever
• howsoever
• whatsoever
• whensoever
• wheresoever

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