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

Some practice getting into character, while others do sit-ups and pull-ups to make their muscles pop. —Kristen Baldwin, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Nov. 2025

Reaves made three pull-up 3-pointers within 2½ minutes of subbing back into the game in the fourth, putting him at 45 points, with his last one giving the Lakers a 108-101 lead. —Khobi Price, Oc Register, 27 Oct. 2025

Verb

The shooting was caught on cameras outside the DMV building, which showed Ojeda getting in her car when a second car pulled up next to her. —Katie Langford, Denver Post, 8 Nov. 2025

Cameras showed Spoelstra pulling up to the house and looking distraught, according to WSVN-TV in Miami. —Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 8 Nov. 2025

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