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

Reaves made three pull-up 3-pointers within 2½ minutes of subbing back into the game in the fourth, putting him at 45 points, with his last one giving the Lakers a 108-101 lead. —Khobi Price, Oc Register, 27 Oct. 2025

Gilgeous-Alexander then missed a pull-up triple, sending the game to OT. —Frank Nunns O'Connell 15 Hr Ago, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025

Verb

In a black Ford Explorer registered with the Santa Muerte Fire Department, Farzam pulled up to a driveway and blocked the sidewalk, according to court documents. —Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2025

Bodycam video obtained by Fox News Digital appears to show Yavapai County Superior Court Judge Pro Tempore Kristyne Schaaf-Olson pulling up her pants before quickly sitting on a bench. —Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2025

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