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

Phil Elkins followed it through the brush and discovered a pulley. —Cheri Mossburg, CNN Money, 26 Nov. 2025

The sides of the stage are flanked by clockwork — a visual mess of gears, pulleys, and rafters — and the backdrop is a clock face. —Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 26 Nov. 2025

Experts from multiple organizations have since arrived with ropes, pulleys and other equipment, even discussing digging a trench to help the whale. —Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 17 Nov. 2025

It was set up with a pulley system and a trip wire that would fire the crossbow when a deer’s leg tripped it. —David Zeug, Outdoor Life, 29 Oct. 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