\ ˈwinch
\
\
Definition of winch
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: any of various machines or instruments for hauling or pulling
especially
: a powerful machine with one or more drums on which to coil a rope, cable, or chain for hauling or hoisting : windlass
2
: a crank with a handle for giving motion to a machine (such as a grindstone)
winch
verb
winched; winching; winches
Definition of winch (Entry 2 of 2)
: to hoist or haul with or as if with a winch
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Examples of winch in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
The entire entire vehicle is finished in a safari-appropriate tan hue, which is offset by matte black after-market accessories like a new bumper, a brushguard that shields the new LED headlights and a 12,000 pound winch with a synthetic rope line.
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Bryan Hood, Robb Report, "This Land Rover Defender Camper Conversion Will Bring Rugged and Retro Style to the Campground," 26 Mar. 2021
If this was a scenario whereby the self-driving car was generally inoperable, presumably the tow truck would use the winch to drag the self-driving car up onto the flatbed.
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Lance Eliot, Forbes, "Convincing A Self-Driving Car To Go Where You Want It To Go When It Won’t Go There," 27 Feb. 2021
Still, Michelle and I used the winch to pull my Tennessee buck right up onto the top rack without much hassle.
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Will Brantley, Field & Stream, "10 Lessons from the 2020 Deer Season," 5 Jan. 2021
The 665-piece model has an articulating suspension, fold-down rear seats, and a working winch.
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Connor Hoffman, Car and Driver, "Lego Jeep Wrangler Ready to Tackle the Stay-at-Home Trail," 3 Dec. 2020
For heavy duty pulling, demolition, and other tasks that require serious leverage, a winch in the range of 5,000 pounds or greater will offer a serious advantage.
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The Editors, Outdoor Life, "3 Features to Consider Before You Buy an Electric Winch," 23 Oct. 2019
Daphne also tows a hydrophone to collect corroborating audio, such as the whine of a hydraulic winch hoisting a fishing net.
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Vanessa Minke-martin, Smithsonian Magazine, "A New Generation of Autonomous Vessels Is Looking to Catch Illegal Fishers," 19 Nov. 2020
Also, a winch that resists water will keep out dust and grit.
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The Editors, Field & Stream, "Three Things to Consider Before Buying a Winch," 10 Sep. 2020
This special Power Wagon is also equipped with locking front and rear differentials, an electronic disconnecting front sway bar, and a 12,000-pound Warn winch.
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Connor Hoffman, Car and Driver, "2021 Ram Power Wagon 75th Anniversary Edition Gets a Few Bits from the TRX," 10 Nov. 2020
Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
The road was closed for about 20 minutes at 8:45 p.m. as Interstate Towing arrived to winch the semi out.
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Thomas Jewell, cleveland, "Truck trapped briefly under live wire: Hunting Valley Police Blotter," 20 Feb. 2021
Once the fighters' mission was complete, the 747 would winch them back aboard, where the pilots could rest and even sleep in their own quarters while the planes were refueled and rearmed.
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Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "That Time Boeing Wanted to Turn the 747 Jumbo Jet Into an Aircraft Carrier," 8 Sep. 2020
That policy caused export delays at many factories that previously manufactured everything from winches to cranes but suddenly switched to making medical equipment after the lockdown of Wuhan on Jan. 23.
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Keith Bradsher, BostonGlobe.com, "China delays mask and ventilator exports after quality complaints," 11 Apr. 2020
Ford Performance Parts is offering a winch by Warn with 12,000 pounds winching power for Tremor Super Duty pickups.
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Tim Spell, Houston Chronicle, "2020 Ford F-250: Off-Road Tremor addresses growing demand," 10 Apr. 2020
Cane poles aren’t just for winching trophy bream out of the water.
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T. Edward Nickens, Field & Stream, "How to Fish for Trophy Panfish on a Spawning Bed," 19 Mar. 2020
The 21-year-old Air Force medic chose to drop down and help winch soldiers up to the chopper.
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Mark Kennedy, Detroit Free Press, "‘Last Full Measure’ fumbles its proud mission," 23 Jan. 2020
Firefighters winched from helicopters to reach the cluster of fewer than 200 Wollemi Pines in a remote gorge in the Blue Mountains a week before a wildlife bore down, National Parks and Wildlife Service Director David Crust said.
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Rod Mcguirk, BostonGlobe.com, "Australia firefighters save world’s only rare dinosaur trees," 16 Jan. 2020
Firefighters winched from helicopters to reach the cluster of fewer than 200 Wollemi Pines in a remote gorge in the Blue Mountains a week before a massive wildlife bore down, National Parks and Wildlife Service Director David Crust said.
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Rod Mcguirk, Anchorage Daily News, "Australians save world’s only ‘dinosaur trees’ from bush fires," 16 Jan. 2020
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'winch.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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Last Updated
6 Apr 2021
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Cite this Entry
“Winch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/winch. Accessed 19 Apr. 2021.
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More Definitions for winch
winch
noun
English Language Learners Definition of winch
: a machine that has a rope or chain and that is used for pulling or lifting heavy things
See the full definition for winch in the English Language Learners Dictionary
winch
noun
\ ˈwinch
\
\
Kids Definition of winch
: a machine that has a roller on which rope is wound for pulling or lifting
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Time Traveler for winch
The first known use of winch was before the 12th century
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