Illustration of lever
- lever 2a
1
a
: a bar used for prying or dislodging something
b
: an inducing or compelling force : tool
use food as a political lever—
Time
Time2
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
levered; levering
ˈle-və-riŋ 
ˈlē-;
ˈlev-riŋ,
ˈlēv-
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
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
Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
This time, President-elect Donald Trump knows a lot more about how to manipulate the levers of power and plans to surround himself with loyalists willing to do his bidding in making sweeping changes to both policies and processes.
—Carl Leubsdorf, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
Dan Freedman, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024
If your plants are hard to pull, insert your shovel beneath the roots and use it to lever the roots out of the soil.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for lever 
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Noun
More coverage: ➡️ Republicans will maintain control of the House of Representatives by the thinnest of margins, handing Trump and his party all the levers of power in Washington.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
This time, President-elect Donald Trump knows a lot more about how to manipulate the levers of power and plans to surround himself with loyalists willing to do his bidding in making sweeping changes to both policies and processes.
—Carl Leubsdorf, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
Verb
The Yankees, not wanting to be levered too badly if Cole performed as expected in the first five years of the deal, included a trump card in the agreement.
—Dan Freedman, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024
If your plants are hard to pull, insert your shovel beneath the roots and use it to lever the roots out of the soil.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for lever
Dictionary Entries Near lever
Cite this Entry
“Lever.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lever. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
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
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
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