leverage

American  

[lev-er-ij, lee-ver-] / ˈlɛv ər ɪdʒ, ˈli vər- /

noun

1. 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.

2. the mechanical advantage or power gained by using a lever.

3. 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.

   Synonyms:

   pull, clout, weight, strength, advantage

4. 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.

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verb (used with object)

leveraged, leveraging

1. 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.

2. to provide with leverage.

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

3. to invest or arrange (invested funds) using leverage.

4. to exert power or influence on.

   It was Joe who leveraged her to change her habits.

leverage British  

/ ˈlɛv-, -vrɪdʒ, ˈliːvərɪdʒ /

noun

1. the action of a lever

2. the mechanical advantage gained by employing a lever

3. power to accomplish something; strategic advantage

4. the enhanced power available to a large company

   the supermarket chains have greater leverage than single-outlet enterprises

5. US word for gearing

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

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leverage Cultural  

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

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Other Word Forms

• nonleveraged adjective
• unleveraged adjective

Etymology

Origin of leverage

First recorded in 1715–25; lever + -age

Example Sentences

It isn’t only the leverage, it’s the status.

From The Wall Street Journal

More complex structured instruments as well as increased leverage in the private markets that are now available mean that the real-world footprint of many assets are many times their notional value.

From The Wall Street Journal

So why has Germany, the pre-eminent economic power in Europe, decided it needs to leverage its relatively conservative balance sheet?

From MarketWatch

Despite a recent softening of the tech job market, companies have leveraged the jobs crunch to enforce a return to the office.

From Barron's

Instead, he embraced it, leveraging it through the years to awe viewers with that friendly face before playing with their expectations.

From Salon

Related Words

• advantage
• bargaining chip
• clout
• weight