Illustration of lever
- lever 2a
1
a
: a bar used for prying or dislodging something
b
: an inducing or compelling force : tool
use food as a political lever—
Time
Time2
a
: a rigid piece that transmits and modifies force or motion when forces are applied at two points and it turns about a third
specifically
: a rigid bar used to exert a pressure or sustain a weight at one point of its length by the application of a force at a second and turning at a third on a fulcrum
b
: a projecting piece by which a mechanism (see mechanism sense 1) is operated or adjusted
levered; levering
ˈle-və-riŋ 
ˈlē-;
ˈlev-riŋ,
ˈlēv-
1
: to pry, raise, or move with or as if with a lever
2
: to operate (a device) in the manner of a lever
Examples of lever in a Sentence
Noun
They used their money as a lever to gain political power.
Verb
He levered the rock out of the hole.
the workers used crowbars to lever the heavy stone block into its new position
Recent Examples on the Web
Michael Morris, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Picking quality positions China’s response to Trump’s tariffs suggest trade tensions between the two countries will continue for some time, given the levers Beijing has to pull by stimulating an economy , and strengthening ties with other trading partners.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 17 Apr. 2025
Vineer Bhansali, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
In turn, individual people who are highly levered to their stock-market savings will cut back spending in their own lives.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lever
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Noun
For our part, the business community and its leaders should follow these discussions and use the levers available to you to ensure your business, its innovations and your customers remain protected.
—Michael Morris, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Picking quality positions China’s response to Trump’s tariffs suggest trade tensions between the two countries will continue for some time, given the levers Beijing has to pull by stimulating an economy , and strengthening ties with other trading partners.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 17 Apr. 2025
Verb
One notable fact about this set-up is that the swap part is a derivative contract, and hence is levered for the maturity of the swap (e.g. 30 years).
—Vineer Bhansali, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
In turn, individual people who are highly levered to their stock-market savings will cut back spending in their own lives.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lever
Cite this Entry
“Lever.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lever. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
1
: a bar used to pry or move something
2
: a stiff bar for applying a force (as for lifting a weight) at one point of its length by effort at a second point and turning at a third point on a fulcrum
3
: a bar or rod used to run or adjust something
a gearshift lever
Etymology
Noun
Middle English lever "bar for prying," from early French levier (same meaning), from lever (verb) "to raise," from Latin levare "to raise" — related to elevate
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