lever

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

• pry
• pull
• lift

Examples of lever in a Sentence

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

This is a terrific conglomerate levered to so many different parts of a growing economy. —Kevin Stankiewicz,morgan Chittum, CNBC, 27 May 2026

While mega-cap deals are often levered at over four times EBITDA, lower middle market platforms frequently begin closer to two- to three-times EBITDA. —Varun Parikh, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 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

If the potatoes are hard to pull, use the shovel to carefully lever them out of the soil. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

derivative of lever entry 1

First Known Use

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

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