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
Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026
With health care accounting for nearly 30% of the federal budget (and other categories such as Social Security and defense politically untouchable), medical spending became one of the few remaining fiscal levers.
—Robert Pearl, Twin Cities, 30 Jan. 2026
Zev Fima, CNBC, 19 Jan. 2026
Whatever levers the Canucks opt to pull, there are a variety of ways for Vancouver to get creative in pursuit of getting the absolute best possible return for a relatively unique trade asset like Sherwood.
—Thomas Drance, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lever
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Noun
Some of those accommodations include blocking off sections of the property for noise-sensitive guests, providing black-out curtains for light-sensitive customers, offering larger shower benches with handheld levers, and even adjusting the presentation of food and beverage options.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026
With health care accounting for nearly 30% of the federal budget (and other categories such as Social Security and defense politically untouchable), medical spending became one of the few remaining fiscal levers.
—Robert Pearl, Twin Cities, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
Home Depot is the stock in our portfolio most levered to the housing market and mortgage rates.
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 19 Jan. 2026
Whatever levers the Canucks opt to pull, there are a variety of ways for Vancouver to get creative in pursuit of getting the absolute best possible return for a relatively unique trade asset like Sherwood.
—Thomas Drance, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lever
Cite this Entry
“Lever.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lever. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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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Merriam-Webster unabridged
