crowbar

[kroh-bahr]

noun

1. Also called crow. a steel bar, usually flattened and slightly bent at one or both ends, used as a lever.

verb (used with object)

crowbarred, crowbarring 

1. to pry open, loosen, etc., with a crowbar.

   We had to crowbar a window to get in.

crowbar

/ ˈkrəʊˌbɑː /

noun

1. a heavy iron lever with one pointed end, and one forged into a wedge shape

Word History and Origins

Origin of crowbar¹

1740–50, crow ¹ + bar ¹; so called because one end was beak-shaped

Example Sentences

Roske pleaded guilty in April, nearly three years after being arrested outside Kavanaugh’s house with a pistol, zip ties, duct tape, pepper spray, crowbar and hammer, along with other burglary tools, according to court records.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Surveillance footage obtained by ABC News showed suspects using crowbars to break glass and pilfer an estimated $1 million in loot, while others entered the store with handguns.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Palestine Action, which posted the footage online, also said the activists had also used crowbars to damage the planes.

Read more on BBC

Britain's decision to recognise Palestine is a diplomatic crowbar to try to reopen it.

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The group said activists used repurposed fire extinguishers to spray the paint and caused "further damage" using crowbars.

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Related Words

• chisel 
• lever