leverage

[ lev-er-ij, lee-ver- ]

/ ˈlɛv ər ɪdʒ, ˈli vər- /

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See synonyms for: leverage / leverages on Thesaurus.com

noun

the action of a lever, a rigid bar that pivots about one point and that is used to move an object at a second point by a force applied at a third.

the mechanical advantage or power gained by using a lever.

power or ability to act or to influence people, events, decisions, etc.; sway: Being the only industry in town gave the company considerable leverage in its union negotiations.

the use of a small initial investment, credit, or borrowed funds to gain a very high return in relation to one's investment, to control a much larger investment, or to reduce one's own liability for any loss.

verb (used with object), lev·er·aged, lev·er·ag·ing.

to use (a quality or advantage) to obtain a desired effect or result: She was able to leverage her travel experience and her gift for languages to get a job as a translator.

to provide with leverage: The board of directors plans to leverage two failing branches of the company with an influx of cash.

to invest or arrange (invested funds) using leverage.

to exert power or influence on: It was Joe who leveraged her to change her habits.

OTHER WORDS FOR leverage

3 advantage, strength, weight; clout, pull.

See synonyms for leverage on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of leverage

First recorded in 1715–25; lever + -age

OTHER WORDS FROM leverage

non·lev·er·aged, adjectiveun·lev·er·aged, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use leverage in a sentence

The shock move comes after China’s regulators warned that Jack Ma’s firm faces increased scrutiny and will be subject to the same restrictions on capital and leverage as banks.
Shanghai stock exchange to suspend $35 billion listing for Ant Group|kdunn6|November 3, 2020|Fortune
Near Me’s fast start is part of a bigger push by Tegna’s digital team to better leverage user-generated content captured by its audience.
‘Something inherently local’: Tegna leans into user-generated content on linear and digital with ‘Near Me’|Max Willens|October 29, 2020|Digiday
These findings highlight publishers’ growing appetite to leverage data to get closer to their customers.
Publishers must strengthen their relationships with brands and customers|LiveRamp|October 29, 2020|Digiday
The position gave Courtney leverage to get hired at the National Institutes of Health Information Technology Acquisition and Assessment Center, where he had the power to make good on his promises by steering government contracts.
How a ‘diabolical’ former DEA staffer conned the intelligence community|Rachel Weiner|October 28, 2020|Washington Post

Among her goals as mayor is to use the Micron plant expansion as leverage to bring in more employers and to spur economic development in the lower-income Georgetown South neighborhood, Davis-Younger said.
In blue N.Va., Democrats eye a mayoral seat long held by the GOP|Antonio Olivo|October 28, 2020|Washington Post
It's leveraging its user base to make it more the algorithm more intelligent.
Amiigo Tracker Pairs Data With Deadlifts|Gregory Ferenstein|August 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Zelaya's ouster was controversial, and his supporters counted on leveraging his image as a coup victim into a sympathy vote.
Honduras Presidential Election Passes Over Chavez Loyalists|Mac Margolis|November 27, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Unashamed about his wealth—made from sweat not speculation, he claimed—he worked at leveraging fortune into celebrity.
The Rise And Fall Of Brazilian Billionaire Eike Batista|Mac Margolis|November 9, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Advertisers—and the weather sites—are leveraging the obsession.
It’s Not a Storm Until the Weather Channel Names It|David Freedlander|March 7, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Obama is leveraging this to its maximum potential, even more than in 2008.
Obama’s Last-Minute Twitter Surge|Jamie Reno|November 6, 2012|DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for leverage

leverage

/ (ˈliːvərɪdʒ, -vrɪdʒ, ˈlɛv-) /

noun

the action of a lever

the mechanical advantage gained by employing a lever

power to accomplish something; strategic advantage

the enhanced power available to a large companythe supermarket chains have greater leverage than single-outlet enterprises

US word for gearing (def. 3)

the use made by a company of its limited assets to guarantee the substantial loans required to finance its business

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for leverage

leverage

The amount in which a purchase is paid for in borrowed money. The greater the leverage, the greater the possible gain or potential loss.

leverage

OTHER WORDS FOR leverage

Origin of leverage

OTHER WORDS FROM leverage

Words related to leverage

How to use leverage in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for leverage

Cultural definitions for leverage