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Lever definition

lĕvər, lēvər
levered levering levers
See word origin
Frequency:
Class 1 levers have force applied on the opposite side of the fulcrum, or pivot point. On a see-saw, the farther away from the fulcrum you sit, the bigger the force you can produce. This is why it is easier to use a tool with a long handle. Scissors and pliers are examples of class 1 levers.
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The definition of a lever is a bar used to control a machine.
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Class 3 levers also have the fulcrum at the end, but you exert force in the center and the higher force is produced at the tips, as in tweezers and tongs.

An example of a lever is a stick shift in a car with a manual transmission.

Examples of lever are pliers, scissors, see-saws, wheelbarrows, and tongs.

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A means to an end.
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Lever means a tool, usually a bar, used to lift or pry open something.

An example of a lever is a crowbar.

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(mechanics) A rigid piece which is capable of turning about one point, or axis (the fulcrum), and in which are two or more other points where forces are applied; "” used for transmitting and modifying force and motion.
  • Specifically, a bar of metal, wood or other rigid substance, used to exert a pressure, or sustain a weight, at one point of its length, by receiving a force or power at a second, and turning at a third on a fixed point called a fulcrum. It is usually named as the first of the six mechanical powers, and is of three kinds, according as either the fulcrum F, the weight W, or the power P, respectively, is situated between the other two, as in the figures.
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A small such piece to trigger or control a mechanical device (like a button).
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(mechanics) A bar, as a capstan bar, applied to a rotatory piece to turn it.
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(mechanics) An arm on a rock shaft, to give motion to the shaft or to obtain motion from it.
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To move with a lever.

With great effort and a big crowbar I managed to lever the beam off the floor.

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(figuratively) To use, operate like a lever.
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(chiefly UK, finance) To increase the share of debt in the capitalization of a business.
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1537, William Tyndale et al, "Jonah", in The Byble.

Now therefore take my life from me, for I had lever die then live.

adverb
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1590, Edmund Spenser, The Faery Queene.

For lever had I die than see his deadly face.

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(rare) A levee.
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Class 2 levers have the fulcrum at one end, like wheelbarrows, nail clippers, and nutcrackers.
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Lever is defined as a means to get something.

An example of a lever is a family connection which might be used to get admitted to a school.

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A simple machine consisting of a rigid bar pivoted on a fixed point and used to transmit force, as in raising or moving a weight at one end by pushing down on the other.
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A projecting handle used to adjust or operate a mechanism.
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A means of accomplishing; a tool.

Used friendship as a lever to obtain advancement.

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To move or lift with a lever.

Levered up the manhole cover.

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To move (oneself, for example) in a manner resembling the use of a lever.
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To fund at least in part with borrowed money; leverage.
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A bar used as a pry.
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(mech.) A device consisting of a bar turning about a fixed point, the fulcrum, using power or force applied at a second point to lift or sustain a weight at a third point; hence, any handle or the like used to operate something.
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To move, lift, etc. with or as with a lever.
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To use as a lever.
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A simple machine consisting of a bar that pivots on a fixed support, or fulcrum , and is used to transmit torque . A force applied by pushing down on one end of the lever results in a force pushing up at the other end. If the fulcrum is not positioned in the middle of the lever, then the force applied to one end will not yield the same force on the other, since the torque must be the same on either side of the fulcrum. Levers, like gears, can thus be used to increase the force available from a mechanical power source.
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Other Word Forms

Noun

Singular:
lever
Plural:
levers

Origin of lever

  • Middle English from Old French levier from lever to raise from Latin levāre from levis light legwh- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Old French leveor, leveur (“a lifter, lever (also Old French and French levier)"), from Latin levator (“a lifter"), from levare, past part. levatus (“to raise"); see levant. Compare alleviate, elevate, leaven.

    From Wiktionary

  • From Middle English comparative of leve (“dear") of Germanic origin (compare German lieb) or lief.

    From Wiktionary

  • From French lever.

    From Wiktionary

Lever Sentence Examples

  • You use this lever to lower the sickle, like this and then lift it over stumps and such.

  • Her hand fell from the lever that opened the heavy iron door.

  • The cage is then lifted by the engine clear of the keeps, which are opened by a lever worked by hand, and the empty tubs start on the return trip. When the cage has several decks, it is necessary to repeat this operation for each, unless there is a special provision made for loading and discharging the tubs at different levels.

  • By ca-sing two conical surfaces of cast-iron immersed in mercury and contained in an iron vessel to rub against one another when pressed together by a lever, Joule obtained 776.045 foot-pounds for the mechanical equivalent of heat when the heavy weights were used, and 774.93 foot-pounds with the small driving weights.

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