pull-up

1 of 2

noun

ˈpu̇l-ˌəp 

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

: check, rebuke

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

Synonyms of pull-up

Verb

• stop
• halt
• catch
• stall
• check
• stay
• draw up
• hold up
• bring up

Examples of pull-up in a Sentence

Verb

the jockey tried to pull up the apparently injured horse

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In a new Instagram post shared over the weekend, the athlete is seen performing six unassisted pull-ups before lowering herself onto a step stool, returning to her crutches and fist-bumping her trainer to celebrate the milestone. —Shafiq Najib, ABC News, 22 Mar. 2026

The Zags closed that gap to 66-64 with 3 minutes left in the game after star forward Graham Ike laid in a basket, but Pope again answered with a pull-up 3-pointer almost off one leg. —Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 22 Mar. 2026

Verb

Arnold pulled up without a moment of hesitation. —Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 22 Mar. 2026

From cargo ships crossing the ocean to the delivery van pulling up to your door, rising fuel and other energy prices are driving up the cost of transporting goods. —CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1901, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1623, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for pull-up

• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup
• markup