Illustration of lever
- lever 2a
1
a
: a bar used for prying or dislodging something
b
: an inducing or compelling force : tool
… use food as a political lever …—
Time
Time2
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
levered; levering
ˈle-və-riŋ 
ˈlē-;
ˈlev-riŋ,
ˈlēv-
1
: to pry, raise, or move with or as if with a lever
2
: to operate (a device) in the manner of a lever
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
Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 7 May 2026
The only major tariff lever the administration appears to have currently in place are industry-specific tariffs.
—Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 7 May 2026
Brian Sullivan, CNBC, 6 May 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
See All Example Sentences for lever
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
The parking brake is also built directly into the electric motor system, removing the need for separate cables and mechanical levers.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 7 May 2026
The only major tariff lever the administration appears to have currently in place are industry-specific tariffs.
—Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 7 May 2026
Verb
It's got a $27 target and thinks HMH is nicely levered to their expectations for a recovery in offshore oil drilling next year.
—Brian Sullivan, CNBC, 6 May 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
See All Example Sentences for lever
Cite this Entry
“Lever.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lever. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
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
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
