noun
Uncommon
lever
LEE-vuh
Lever (noun) means a rigid bar that pivots on a fixed point, used to lift or move something with less effort. Example: “He used a metal bar as a lever to pry the rock loose.”
noun
1
A rigid bar that pivots on a fixed point, used to lift or move something with less effort.
"He used a metal bar as a lever to pry the rock loose."
"A seesaw is simply a long lever balanced on a central support."
"With a long enough lever, a child could lift a heavy stone."
2
A handle or bar used to operate a mechanism.
"Pull the lever to release the brake."
"Push the lever forward to start the machine, and back to stop it."
"The driver moved the lever to change gear."
verb
1
To move or force something using a lever, literally or figuratively.
"She levered the lid off the paint tin with a screwdriver."
"They levered the heavy stone out of the ground with a crowbar."
"He levered himself out of the deep armchair with a groan."
How to use lever
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA bar used to lift or shift something by pivoting it against a fixed point, or the handle that operates a machine.
Common pairings
pull a lever
use as a lever
gear lever
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Word forms
- Plural
- levers
- Third person singular
- levers
- Past tense
- levered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He used a metal bar as a _____ to pry the rock loose.
Etymology
From Old French levier, "a lifter," from Latin levare, "to raise."
Related words
Rhymes for lever
See all rhymes for lever →Frequently asked questions
What does “lever” mean?
The word “lever” means a rigid bar that pivots on a fixed point, used to lift or move something with less effort. In plain terms, a bar used to lift or shift something by pivoting it against a fixed point, or the handle that operates a machine.
How do you pronounce “lever”?
“Lever” is pronounced LEE-vuh (/ˈlɛv.ɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “lever” in a sentence?
Here is “lever” used in a sentence: “He used a metal bar as a lever to pry the rock loose.”
What is another word for “lever”?
Words with a similar meaning to “lever” include jimmy.
What part of speech is “lever”?
Depending on how it is used, “lever” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “lever” come from?
The word “lever” comes from Latin. From Old French levier, "a lifter," from Latin levare, "to raise.".
Is “lever” a common word?
“Lever” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “lever” have?
“Lever” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a rigid bar that pivots on a fixed point, used to lift or move something with less effort.
What is the difference between a lever and a fulcrum?
A lever is the rigid bar itself that is used to lift or move something, while the fulcrum is the fixed point on which that bar pivots. The lever cannot function without a fulcrum to rotate around.
What is the difference between a lever and a pulley?
A lever uses a rigid bar pivoting on a fixed point to multiply force, while a pulley uses a wheel and rope or cable to change the direction of force or lift a load. Both are simple machines but work through different mechanical principles.
What does it mean to lever something figuratively?
Used figuratively, to lever something means to use a particular advantage, resource, or piece of information to force a result, similar to how a physical lever forces movement with less effort, as in 'lever open a negotiation.'
