pincers

American  

[pin-serz] / ˈpɪn sərz /

Also pinchers

noun

(usually used with a plural verb)

1. a gripping tool consisting of two pivoted limbs forming a pair of jaws and a pair of handles (usually used withpair of ).

2. Zoology. a grasping organ or pair of organs resembling this, as the claw of a lobster.

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pincers British  

/ ˈpɪnsəz /

plural noun

1. Also called: pair of pincers.  a gripping tool consisting of two hinged arms with handles at one end and, at the other, curved bevelled jaws that close on the workpiece: used esp for extracting nails

2. the pair or pairs of jointed grasping appendages in lobsters and certain other arthropods

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pincers Scientific  

/ pĭn′sərz /

1. A jointed grasping claw of certain animals, such as lobsters and scorpions.

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Etymology

Origin of pincers

1300–50; Middle English pinsers, earlier pynceours, plural of *pinceour < Anglo-French pince ( r ) to pinch + -our -or ²

Example Sentences

Agility’s Digit robot, with its rectangular eyes and pincers for hands, looks a little more like science fiction and a little less like a human replacement.

From Barron's • Feb. 6, 2026

Some will have three arms, some with five fingers and others with pincers.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 6, 2025

As Russian pincers were closing on the city, a presidential aide warned last week that the military could “strategically pull back” if needed.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 7, 2023

In a video posted on Telegram, Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the paramilitary group Wagner, on Friday said that "pincers are closing in" around Bakhmut.

From BBC • Mar. 3, 2023

Harry thought he heard the tinkle of bottles as Slughorn bent over the pincers, apparently examining the enormous hairy head.

From "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling