fulcrum

American  

[fool-kruhm, fuhl-] / ˈfʊl krəm, ˈfʌl- /

noun

plural

fulcrums, fulcra

1. the support, or point of rest, on which a lever turns in moving a body.

2. any prop or support.

3. Zoology. any of various structures in an animal serving as a hinge or support.

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verb (used with object)

1. to fit with a fulcrum; put a fulcrum on.

fulcrum British  

/ ˈfʊlkrəm, ˈfʌl- /

noun

1. the pivot about which a lever turns

2. something that supports or sustains; prop

3. a spinelike scale occurring in rows along the anterior edge of the fins in primitive bony fishes such as the sturgeon

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fulcrum Scientific  

/ fl′krəm /

1. The point or support on which a lever turns. The position of the fulcrum, relative to the positions of the load and effort, determines the type of lever.

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fulcrum Cultural  

1. The point on which a lever is balanced when a force is exerted.

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Etymology

Origin of fulcrum

1665–75; < Latin: back-support of a couch, apparently for fulctrum, equivalent to fulc ( īre ) to hold up, support + -trum noun suffix of instrument

Example Sentences

Bonds have been making a comeback as weakness has hit tech stocks, which have long been the fulcrum point of this bull market.

From MarketWatch

With Mendis as the fulcrum, Sri Lanka found 80 runs from the final 10 overs, an acceleration that would later prove beyond England.

From BBC

It is the fulcrum—the moment the government admits the mismatch between statute and society is unsustainable.

From The Wall Street Journal

The fulcrum of the political year ahead isn't likely to be until Thursday 7 May.

From BBC

For all the talent elsewhere, Robertson was Forest's fulcrum.

From BBC

Related Words

• blueprint
• clue
• code
• core
• guide
• indicator
• means
• passport
• password
• sign
• ticket