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

Giant scorpions the size of a baseball bat with pincers the size of a pencil once stalked what is now England and Wales. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 4 June 2026

The team noticed a similarly clever metal arrangement in the pincers. —Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 1 May 2026

Its crew lower the robot — which is equipped with cameras as well as pincers — into the water. —CBS News, 29 Apr. 2026

Contrary to expectations, researchers found that iron is more prevalent in long, slender pincers than in thick, crushing ones. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 28 Apr. 2026

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