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noun

winch

wihnch

Winch (noun) means a mechanical device with a drum and crank (or motor) used to haul or hoist a rope or cable. Example: “They used a winch to pull the truck out of the ditch.”

noun
1
A mechanical device with a drum and crank (or motor) used to haul or hoist a rope or cable.
"They used a winch to pull the truck out of the ditch."
"The sailboat's winch made it easy to tighten the sail."
verb
1
To pull or lift something using such a device.
"The crew winched the lifeboat back onto the deck."

How to use winch

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA crank-and-drum tool for hauling heavy things, or the act of pulling something with one.

Common pairings
winch something up a hand winch electric winch

Word forms

winched past tense, winched past tense, winched past tense, winches plural, Winches plural, winches singular, winches singular, winches singular

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

They used a _____ to pull the truck out of the ditch.

Etymology

From Old English winċe, related to the word "wink" through a shared root meaning "to bend or turn".

Origin: Old English

Related words

Rhymes for winch

See all rhymes for winch →

Frequently asked questions

What does “winch” mean?

The word “winch” means a mechanical device with a drum and crank (or motor) used to haul or hoist a rope or cable. In plain terms, a crank-and-drum tool for hauling heavy things, or the act of pulling something with one.

How do you pronounce “winch”?

“Winch” is pronounced wihnch (/wɪnt͡ʃ/ in IPA).

How do you use “winch” in a sentence?

Here is “winch” used in a sentence: “They used a winch to pull the truck out of the ditch.”

What part of speech is “winch”?

Depending on how it is used, “winch” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “winch” come from?

The word “winch” comes from Old English. From Old English winċe, related to the word "wink" through a shared root meaning "to bend or turn".

How many meanings does “winch” have?

“Winch” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a mechanical device with a drum and crank (or motor) used to haul or hoist a rope or cable.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial