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  • pull-down
    pull-down
    adjective
    designed to be pulled down for use.
  • pull down
    pull down
    verb
    (tr, adverb) to destroy or demolish
Synonyms

pull-down

American  
[pool-doun] / ˈpʊlˌdaʊn /

adjective

  1. designed to be pulled down for use.

    a pull-down bed; a desk with a pull-down front.


pull down British  

verb

  1. (tr, adverb) to destroy or demolish

    the old houses were pulled down

"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

pull down Idioms  
  1. Demolish, destroy, as in They pulled down several old office buildings downtown . [Early 1500s]

  2. Lower, reduce; also, depress in health or spirits. For example, The bumper wheat crop is bound to pull down prices , or The flu really pulled him down . [Late 1500s]

  3. Draw as wages, as in He pulled down a hefty salary . [ Colloquial ; early 1900s]


Etymology

Origin of pull-down

First recorded in 1905–10; adj. use of verb phrase pull down

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

It included a lat pull-down, chest press, leg extensions, and cable-curl bar.

From Slate Jul. 29, 2023

The competition committee is scrutinizing the “hip-drop” tackle, a pull-down from behind that led to a broken leg for Dallas running back Tony Pollard and an ankle injury to Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

From Los Angeles Times Mar. 26, 2023

Q: We need a new kitchen faucet but I’m confused with my pullout or pull-down choices.

From Seattle Times Dec. 13, 2022

Find the full analysis at Heritage.org, highlighted on the main landing page, or listed under the “Explore Issues” pull-down menu, under the “Crime and Justice” category.

From Washington Times Nov. 8, 2022

We’d sit in a small hall with a rickety projector showing some family-oriented fare on a white pull-down screen.

From "Ugly" by Robert Hoge

"Some of the models are starting to indicate that we'll start to pull down some smoke," he told AFP.

From Barron's Jul. 17, 2026

After multiple attempts to order Lowe to pull down the building, the council took her to court after she failed to comply with the demolition order.

From BBC Jun. 11, 2026

“Will be interesting to see how spiking gas prices pull down the two lower legs of the E,” another user wrote.

From MarketWatch Apr. 3, 2026

“If they’re running up against the 22% price increase year-to-date, they may pull down their buying programs to see if they can buy a dip, or they can buy when prices stabilize.”

From The Wall Street Journal Jan. 29, 2026

I pull up the hood of the coat and pull down the sleeves over my bare hands.

From "American Street" by Ibi Zoboi

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