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

Wilson estimates that the pulley system snapped and broke about 25 years ago. — Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 28 Aug. 2026

Thai Buddhists fill a container with blessed water, which is attached to a pulley that leads to the upper part of the chedi. — Brooke Schedneck, The Conversation, 24 Aug. 2026

Combining multiple pulleys allowed workers to raise heavier objects with less effort. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 16 Aug. 2026

The pulley at the Children's Museum was not on anyone's itinerary. — Jordi Lippe-McGraw, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 July 2026

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