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

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

Ans suggests, before politely excusing himself to go do pre-race pull-ups with his brother in the woods across the street. —Abe Beame, Rolling Stone, 4 Sep. 2025

Photo: Andy Fata-Chan To improve your pull-ups, focus on a good grip and shoulder engagement. —Andy Fata-Chan, CNBC, 22 Aug. 2025

Verb

The only person who was informed of the last-minute plan was Butler's sister, who strategically pulled up to the airport with Zimmerer in the backseat. —Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025

Saturday something similar happened when Duran pulled up early on a ball that should have been his, deferring to Rafaela despite the center fielder being too far to make the grab. —Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 7 Sep. 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