noun
crowbar
KROH-bahr
Crowbar (noun) means a steel bar, usually with a curved, flattened end, used as a lever to pry things apart or force them open. Example: “He used a crowbar to pry the lid off the crate.”
noun
1
A steel bar, usually with a curved, flattened end, used as a lever to pry things apart or force them open.
"He used a crowbar to pry the lid off the crate."
"Firefighters pried the door open with a crowbar."
verb
1
To force open or move using a crowbar, or by similar forceful means.
"They had to crowbar the rusted hatch loose."
How to use crowbar
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe heavy metal prying tool builders and firefighters use to force things open.
Common pairings
pry with a crowbar
crowbar the door open
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Word forms
- Plural
- crowbars
- Third person singular
- crowbars
- Past tense
- crowbarred
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He used a _____ to pry the lid off the crate.
Etymology
From "crow" (an old name for a metal lever, since its forked end resembled a crow's foot) plus "bar."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “crowbar” mean?
The word “crowbar” means a steel bar, usually with a curved, flattened end, used as a lever to pry things apart or force them open. In plain terms, the heavy metal prying tool builders and firefighters use to force things open.
How do you pronounce “crowbar”?
“Crowbar” is pronounced KROH-bahr (/ˈkɹoʊˌbɑɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “crowbar” in a sentence?
Here is “crowbar” used in a sentence: “He used a crowbar to pry the lid off the crate.”
What part of speech is “crowbar”?
Depending on how it is used, “crowbar” can be a noun and a verb.
How many meanings does “crowbar” have?
“Crowbar” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a steel bar, usually with a curved, flattened end, used as a lever to pry things apart or force them open.
