winch

1 of 2

noun

ˈwinch 

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)

Illustration of winch

• winch 1

winch

2 of 2

verb

winched; winching; winches

transitive verb

: to hoist or haul with or as if with a winch

wincher noun

Examples of winch in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Fortunately, Williams had a powerful winch on the front of his four-wheel-drive pickup. — Rich Larocco, Outdoor Life, 2 Nov. 2026

And then drive home without requiring a winch, a snorkel, and three friends named Dave. — New Atlas, 14 Sep. 2026

Verb

The hunters decided to try winching the carcass off the ground so that the meat could cool. — Rich Larocco, Outdoor Life, 2 Nov. 2026

People have clambered into helicopters from roof terraces and been winched up from the mud left behind by the floodwater, videos posted by the Nepali Army show. — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English winche roller, reel, from Old English wince; akin to Old English wincian to wink

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1529, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for winch

• cinch
• finch
• flinch
• inch
• lynch
• pinch
• synch
• bullfinch
• goldfinch

Kids Definition

winch

noun

ˈwinch

: a machine that has a roller on which a rope, cable, or chain is wound for pulling or lifting