Illustration of pulley
- pulley 2
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
Examples of pulley in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
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
Around 1495, Leonardo da Vinci invented the ‘robotic knight,’ a humanoid machine powered by pulleys, gears and cables.
—Ann Kowal Smith, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
From here, grasp the rope in both hands and lie down on the bench, facing away from the pulley.
5.
—Matt Parrott, arkansasonline.com, 19 Jan. 2025
Iconic motifs — ropes, pulleys and signal flags — are woven into the collection, merging collegiate-prep aesthetics and sea-faring influence to reinforce Tommy Hilfiger’s signature fusion of sport and style.
—Bill Springer, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pulley
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The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 May 2025
Around 1495, Leonardo da Vinci invented the ‘robotic knight,’ a humanoid machine powered by pulleys, gears and cables.
—Ann Kowal Smith, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
From here, grasp the rope in both hands and lie down on the bench, facing away from the pulley.
5.
—Matt Parrott, arkansasonline.com, 19 Jan. 2025
Iconic motifs — ropes, pulleys and signal flags — are woven into the collection, merging collegiate-prep aesthetics and sea-faring influence to reinforce Tommy Hilfiger’s signature fusion of sport and style.
—Bill Springer, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pulley
Cite this Entry
“Pulley.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pulley. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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