pulley

noun

pul·​ley ˈpu̇-lē 

plural pulleys

1

: a sheave or small wheel with a grooved rim and with or without the block in which it runs used singly with a rope or chain to change the direction and point of application of a pulling force and in various combinations to increase the applied force especially for lifting weights

2

: a pulley or pulleys with ropes to form a tackle that constitutes one of the simple machines

3

: a wheel used to transmit power by means of a band, belt, cord, rope, or chain passing over its rim

Illustration of pulley

• pulley 2

Examples of pulley in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Funiculars use a counterweight pulley system so that when one car of a funicular descends, the other car can ascend. —Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2025

This was the first time SpaceX used the ship's payload deployment mechanism, which engineers liken to a Pez dispenser, using pulleys to move the rack of Starlink simulators and push them out of the rocket's side door one at a time. —Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2025

Unlike most quadrupeds, CARA doesn’t use any gears or pulleys. —IEEE Spectrum, 25 July 2025

These gadgets use magnets to adhere to both sides of a window, allowing double-sided cleaning and offering a solution for exterior window cleaning that doesn’t require ladders, ropes, pulleys or scaffolding. —The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English poley, pully, from Anglo-French pulie, probably ultimately from Greek polos axis, pole — more at pole

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing pulley

• idler pulley

Rhymes for pulley

• bully
• fully
• woolly
• wooly

Kids Definition

pulley

noun

pul·​ley ˈpu̇l-ē 

plural pulleys

: a small wheel with a grooved rim used with a rope or chain to change the direction of a pulling force and in combination to increase the force applied for lifting

Medical Definition

pulley

noun

pul·​ley ˈpu̇l-ē 

: trochlea