Illustration of pulley
- pulley 2
plural pulleys
1
: a sheave or small wheel with a grooved rim and with or without the block in which it runs used singly with a rope or chain to change the direction and point of application of a pulling force and in various combinations to increase the applied force especially for lifting weights
2
: a pulley or pulleys with ropes to form a tackle that constitutes one of the simple machines
3
: a wheel used to transmit power by means of a band, belt, cord, rope, or chain passing over its rim
Examples of pulley in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In another scene, Amelia appears to be lifting Jenner into the air (but Jenner, however, is actually being held up by pulleys) in black sequined outfits.
—
Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024
Phelan prefers the old-fashioned approach using ropes, slings, pulleys and a bosun's chair – initially just a short wooden plank held up by ropes, now more elaborate and safer work seats.
—Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY, 2 Nov. 2024
Bobby rescues the passenger with a rudimentary pulley system, which feels both perilous and ingenious.
—Laura Bradley, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2024
At a site just upstream from the inn, Hampton tied a rope to a railroad tie, ran it through a pulley attached to the claw of a bulldozer and clamped the other end to this raft.
—Chris Kenning, USA TODAY, 30 Oct. 2024
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Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024
Phelan prefers the old-fashioned approach using ropes, slings, pulleys and a bosun's chair – initially just a short wooden plank held up by ropes, now more elaborate and safer work seats.
—Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY, 2 Nov. 2024
Bobby rescues the passenger with a rudimentary pulley system, which feels both perilous and ingenious.
—Laura Bradley, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2024
At a site just upstream from the inn, Hampton tied a rope to a railroad tie, ran it through a pulley attached to the claw of a bulldozer and clamped the other end to this raft.
—Chris Kenning, USA TODAY, 30 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pulley
Dictionary Entries Near pulley
Cite this Entry
“Pulley.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pulley. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pulley
noun
pul·ley
ˈpu̇l-ē 
plural pulleys
: a small wheel with a grooved rim used with a rope or chain to change the direction of a pulling force and in combination to increase the force applied for lifting
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