lever

n. a long bar or tool that you push or pull against a fixed point to lift something heavy.

n. a rigid bar resting on a pivot, used to help move a heavy or fixed load with one end when pressure is applied to the other.

“We used a long metal lever to lift the heavy rock out of the garden.”

“The workers used a steel lever to pry the rusted lid off the container, applying steady pressure to the fulcrum.”

Technical

n. a handle that you move to operate a machine or a piece of equipment.

n. a handle or bar used to operate or control a mechanism.

“Pull the lever on the side of the seat to lean back.”

“The pilot pulled the emergency lever, instantly deploying the landing gear as the aircraft approached the runway.”

v. to move something by using a tool or by using a lot of physical force.

v. to lift or move something with a lever or as if with one.

“He managed to lever the window open with a screwdriver.”

“The rescue team had to lever the fallen beam off the trapped vehicle using hydraulic equipment.”

v. to use something you have, like money or influence, to get what you want.

v. to use a quality or resource to achieve a desired effect or to gain a strategic advantage.

“The company tried to lever its famous name to enter the new market.”

“The diplomat sought to lever the country's natural resources to secure a more favourable trade agreement during the negotiations.”

Formal

v. to use borrowed money to increase the potential return on an investment.

v. to increase the proportion of debt to equity in the financing of a business or investment.

“The firm decided to lever the acquisition to maximize their future profits.”

“The private equity group chose to highly lever the company, significantly increasing its debt obligations in hopes of rapid expansion.”

Technical · British English