pull-up

1 of 2

noun

ˈpu̇l-ˌəp 

plural pull-ups

: an exercise in which one hangs by the hands from a support (such as a horizontal bar) and pulls oneself up until the chin is level with the support

specifically : such an exercise done with the palms facing outward compare chin-up

pull up

2 of 2

verb

pulled up; pulling up; pulls up

transitive verb

1

: to bring to a stop : halt

2

: check, rebuke

intransitive verb

1

a

: to check oneself

b

: to come to an often abrupt halt : stop

2

: to draw even with others in a race

Synonyms of pull-up

Verb

• stop
• halt
• catch
• stall
• check
• stay
• draw up
• hold up
• bring up

Examples of pull-up in a Sentence

Verb

the jockey tried to pull up the apparently injured horse

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Sexton’s pull-up jumper off a feed from Ball fell short at the buzzer, sealing a rough loss prior to a nine-day road trip out west. —Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 9 Jan. 2026

At the time it was eliminated in 2012, the Presidential Fitness Test included a one-mile run, sit-ups, a shuttle run, a sit-and-reach test, and pull-ups or push-ups. —Nuria Martinez-Keel, Oklahoma Voice, 8 Jan. 2026

Verb

Somebody please pull up the clips. —Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 13 Jan. 2026

In the photo, Brown appeared to be pulling up his pant leg to show Hartley, 48, his calf. —Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1901, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1623, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for pull-up

• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup
• markup