locking pliers

American  

noun

(usually used with a plural verb)

1. pliers whose jaws are connected at a sliding pivot, permitting them to be temporarily locked in a fixed position for ease in grasping and turning nuts.

---

Example Sentences

This arrangement abounds in nature and in human-engineered devices, such as locking pliers.

From Science Magazine • Sep. 22, 2022

William Petersen patented Vise-Grip locking pliers in 1924.

From Washington Post • Oct. 5, 2012

Among them: needle-nose Vise-Grip locking pliers, knife, saw and screwdrivers.

From Time Magazine Archive

Wrap the webbing, leather or fabric piece as snugly as possible around the filter, and then clamp the ends with a set of locking pliers.

From Time Magazine Archive

But more compact-sized locking pliers will usually do the job, and will more easily fit into tight spaces.

From Time Magazine Archive