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Definition of pull
transitive verb
1a : to exert force upon so as to cause or tend to cause motion toward the forceb : to stretch (cooling candy) repeatedly pull taffyc : to strain abnormally pull a tendond : to hold back (a racehorse) from winninge : to work (an oar) by drawing back strongly
2a : to draw out from the skin pull feathers from a rooster's tailb : to pluck from a plant or by the roots pull flowers pull turnipsc : extract pull a tooth
3 : to hit (a ball) toward the left from a right-handed swing or toward the right from a left-handed swing — compare push
5 : to print (something, such as a proof) by impression
6 : to remove from a place or situation pull the engine pulled the pitcher in the third inning pulled the show
7 : to bring (a weapon) into the open pulled a knife
8a : perform, carry out pull an all-nighter pull guard dutyb : commit, perpetrate pull a robbery pull a prank
puller
nounpull a face
pull a fast one
pull oneself together
pull one's leg
pull one's weight
pull punches
or less commonlypull a punch
pull stakes
orpull up stakes
pull strings
or less commonlypull wires
pull the plug
pull the rug from under
pull the string
pull the trigger
pull the wool over one's eyes
pull together
Explore Merriam-Webster
Examples of pull in a Sentence
He pulled the door open and ran out.
The cat will scratch you if you keep pulling its tail.
Make a knot in the rope and pull it tight.
Pull the baby's chair closer to the table.
She pulled the blanket over her head.
We tried pushing and pulling but couldn't get the couch to move.
Grab the end of the rope and pull as hard as you can.
We spent the morning in the garden pulling weeds.
I accidentally pulled one of the buttons off my shirt.
He pulled the plug out of the socket.
Recent Examples of pull from the Web
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Country songs are known for pulling at the heartstrings, and these songs are among the most emotional in the genre.
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November 2014: Tyga reportedly pulls out of an appearance at Greystone Manor in Los Angeles after Kylie is refused entry because 17-year-olds cannot go to clubs in this country.
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This time, Trump will use stops in Poland and Germany to try to pull off the tricky balancing act of improving ties with Moscow at a time of particularly fraught relations while also presenting the U.S. as a check against Russian aggression.
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Such an agreement could help restore global momentum toward free trade after U.S. President Donald Trump disappointed Japan by pulling out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
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Early logbook entries agree that the combo pulls hard, shifts precisely, and sounds good doing so.
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Since facing backlash, Kendall and Kylie have responded by pulling the entire t-shirt collection from their site.
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Steven Melton, 53, was headed north on 11th Avenue South at 12:29 p.m. on a 1997 Honda when a westbound car pulled out on 9th Street South and into Melton’s way, Sgt.
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Williams then stood by some trees, pulled out a handgun, pointed it at the victim and fired five shots in rapid succession, the affidavit said.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pull'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of pull
Middle English, from Old English pullian; akin to Middle Low German pulen to shell, cull
pull
Definition of pull
1a : the act or an instance of pullingb (1) : a draft of liquid (2) : an inhalation of smokec : the effort expended in moving a long pull uphilld : force required to overcome resistance to pulling a trigger with a four pound pull
2a : advantageb : special influence
3 : proof 6a
4 : a device for pulling something or for operating by pulling a drawer pull
5 : a force that attracts, compels, or influences : attraction
6 : an injury resulting from abnormal straining or stretching a muscle pull a groin pull
Examples of pull in a Sentence
She gave the door a few hard pulls and it opened.
Give the rope a pull.
He has a lot of pull in local political circles.
Recent Examples of pull from the Web
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At 8:18 Wednesday morning 23 people with identical black backpacks — fold-over top, metallic buckle, five leather zipper pulls, water-bottle sleeve — boarded a Route 70 bus at the University of Washington.
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When free from the pull of the current, swim at an angle away from the current towards the shore.
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Trump has exerted a gravitational pull on both sides of the race.
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Unit labor costs have registered gains since the fourth quarter of 2015, with the exception of a pull-back in the three months ended March this year.
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When Macron does get around to greeting Trump, Trump goes for the grab-and-pull.
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The engine’s peak torque is high at 3,900 rpm, so the driver seldom feels the full pull of the engine, which, likely, contributes to the lag on acceleration and seeking of downshifts.
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Chakeria Cooper had two receptions for 26 yards, four flag pulls and a sack.
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The committee also rejected changing the parking pattern along Central in Wilmette's village center, from diagonal pull-in parking to back-in.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pull'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
14th Century
First Known Use of pull
14th century
PULL Defined for English Language Learners
pull
playDefinition of pull for English Language Learners
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: to hold onto and move (someone or something) in a particular direction and especially toward yourself
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: to remove (something) by gripping it and using force
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: to cause (something you are holding or something that is attached to you) to move with you as you go in a particular direction
pull
Definition of pull for English Language Learners
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: the act of moving or trying to move something by holding it and bringing it toward you : the act of pulling something
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: special influence and power over other people
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: an ability or power to attract someone or to make someone want to go somewhere, do something, etc.
PULL Defined for Kids
Definition of pull for Students
pulled
;pulling
1 : to use force on so as to cause movement toward the force pulled the rope pulling a wagon
2 : to separate from a firm or a natural attachment pull a tooth pull weeds
3 : 1move 1 A train pulled out of the station.
5 : to move (something) up or down Pull down the shade.
6 : to operate by drawing toward Going against the current, he had to pull the oars harder.
7 : to stretch repeatedly pull taffy
pull through
: to survive a difficult or dangerous period She was seriously ill, but pulled through.
Definition of pull for Students
1 : the act or an instance of grasping and causing to move two pulls on the cord
2 : a device for making something move
3 : a force that draws one body toward another the pull of gravity
Medical Dictionary
pull
Medical Definition of pull
: an injury resulting from abnormal straining or stretching especially of a muscle—see groin pull
Learn More about pull
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for pull Spanish Central: Translation of pull Nglish: Translation of pull for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of pull for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pull
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