pull-up

1 of 2

noun

plural pull-ups
: an exercise in which one hangs by the hands from a support (such as a horizontal bar) and pulls oneself up until the chin is level with the support
specifically : such an exercise done with the palms facing outward compare chin-up

pull up

2 of 2

verb

pulled up; pulling up; pulls up

transitive verb

1
: to bring to a stop : halt
2

intransitive verb

1
a
: to check oneself
b
: to come to an often abrupt halt : stop
2
: to draw even with others in a race

Examples of pull-up in a Sentence

Verb the jockey tried to pull up the apparently injured horse
Recent Examples on the Web
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
Hernandez made her only basket of the first half on a pull-up 3-pointer that ignited a 9-0 run and gave the Anteaters their biggest lead of the game at 16-8. Dan Arritt, Oc Register, 25 Jan. 2026 The 6-foot-6 guard hit a pull-up jumper along the right baseline nearly 3 1/2 minutes into the game for his first points and added a 360-layup about two minutes later. CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026
Verb
Somebody please pull up the clips. Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 13 Jan. 2026 In the photo, Brown appeared to be pulling up his pant leg to show Hartley, 48, his calf. Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pull-up

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1901, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1623, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pull-up was in 1623

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pull-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pull-up. Accessed 25 Jan. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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