lever

1 of 2

noun

le·​ver ˈle-vər  ˈlē- 

1

a

: a bar used for prying or dislodging something

b

: an inducing or compelling force : tool

… use food as a political lever …

—Time

2

a

: a rigid piece that transmits and modifies force or motion when forces are applied at two points and it turns about a third

specifically : a rigid bar used to exert a pressure or sustain a weight at one point of its length by the application of a force at a second and turning at a third on a fulcrum

b

: a projecting piece by which a mechanism (see mechanism sense 1) is operated or adjusted

Illustration of lever

• lever 2a

lever

2 of 2

verb

levered; levering ˈle-və-riŋ 

ˈlē-;

ˈlev-riŋ, 

ˈlēv-

transitive verb

1

: to pry, raise, or move with or as if with a lever

2

: to operate (a device) in the manner of a lever

Synonyms of lever

Verb

• pry
• pull
• lift

Examples of lever in a Sentence

Noun

They used their money as a lever to gain political power.

Verb

He levered the rock out of the hole.

the workers used crowbars to lever the heavy stone block into its new position

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Hard-liners want to ensure lasting control over the waterway, which is a globally important conduit for fuel shipments and has become a critical lever in confronting the West. — Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026

The irony is that most companies sense this but keep pulling the same levers. — Suyash Karn, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

Verb

The small, seemingly insignificant experience of controlling an automobile by clutching and levering its gears turned out to be deeply meaningful. — Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 7 July 2026

At one point, after Gabriel won a header by levering himself up on Haaland’s shoulders, the two grappled on the turf as the game continued around them. — Jack Lang, New York Times, 5 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French levier, lever, from lever to raise, from Latin levare, from levis light in weight — more at light

Verb

derivative of lever entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1876, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for lever

• bever
• clever
• ever
• haver
• never
• rever
• sever
• cantilever
• howsoever
• whatsoever
• whensoever
• wheresoever

Kids Definition

lever

1 of 2 noun

le·​ver ˈlev-ər  ˈlē-vər 

1

: a bar used to pry or move something

2

: a stiff bar for applying a force (as for lifting a weight) at one point of its length by effort at a second point and turning at a third point on a fulcrum

3

: a bar or rod used to run or adjust something

a gearshift lever

lever

2 of 2 verb

levered; levering ˈlev-(ə-)riŋ 

ˈlēv-

: to pry, raise, or move with a lever

Etymology

Noun

Middle English lever "bar for prying," from early French levier (same meaning), from lever (verb) "to raise," from Latin levare "to raise" — related to elevate