noun
lever
LEE-vuh
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."
2
A handle or bar used to operate a mechanism.
"Pull the lever to release the brake."
verb
1
To move or force something using a lever, literally or figuratively.
"She levered the lid off the paint tin with a screwdriver."
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
Word Forms
levered past tense, levers plural, levers plural, Levers plural, levers singular
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He used a metal bar as a _____ to pry the rock loose.
Etymology
From Old French levier, "a lifter," from Latin levare, "to raise."