pincer

noun

pin·​cer ˈpin(t)-sər 

 especially for sense 1 US often  ˈpin-chər

1

a

pincers plural : an instrument having two short handles and two grasping jaws working on a pivot and used for gripping things

b

: a claw (as of a lobster) resembling a pair of pincers : chela

2

: pincer movement

pincerlike

ˈpin(t)-sər-ˌlīk 

adjective

Examples of pincer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Crabs may be small, but those pincers can do a lot of damage. —Noel Murray, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2025

Ukrainian forces are now closing in on the Russian Dobropillia salient near Pokrovsk, using a pincer assault from the west and north. —David Kirichenko, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025

And District 27 would capture much of the Coastal Bend and snake its way north and west and grab central Austin in a pincer grip. —John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 31 July 2025

If his iron pincers didn’t work, the preferred tool was a pelican: a fearsome-looking device with two hooks to grasp a molar and a lever to wrench it out. —Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 28 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English pinceour, from Anglo-French *pinceour, pinchure, from Anglo-French *pincher, pincer to pinch, from Vulgar Latin *pinctiare, *punctiare, from Latin punctum puncture — more at point

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing pincer

• pincer movement

Rhymes for pincer

• mincer

Kids Definition

pincer

noun

pin·​cer ˈpin-chər 

ˈpin(t)-sər

1

plural : an instrument having two handles and two jaws that is used to grip things

2

: a claw (as of a lobster) resembling a pair of pincers

pincerlike

-ˌlīk 

adjective