winch

[ winch ]

/ wɪntʃ /

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See synonyms for winch on Thesaurus.com

noun

the crank or handle of a revolving machine.

a windlass turned by a crank, for hoisting or hauling.

any of various devices for cranking.

Also wince. Textiles.

any machine equipped with rollers that guide cloth through a dye or finishing solution in an open vat.
a roller between two dyeing vats for passing cloth from one vat to another.

verb (used with object)

to hoist or haul (a load) by means of a winch.

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Origin of winch

before 1050; Middle English winche,Old English wince pulley; akin to wench, wince¹, wink¹

OTHER WORDS FROM winch

wincher, noun

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH winch

wench, winch

Words nearby winch

win by a nose, wince, winced, wincey, winceyette, winch, Winchell, Winchester, Winchester bushel, Winchester disk, Winchester rifle

Other definitions for winch (2 of 2)

winch²

[ winch ]

/ wɪntʃ /

verb (used without object), noun Archaic.

an archaic variant of wince¹.

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

How to use winch in a sentence

Then it crash tested it, and with that data, developed a specific algorithm for the airbag computers that enables them to compensate for the difference in forces created by the winch and bumper being shoved into the Bronco’s frame.
An Ode to the New Ford Bronco|Wes Siler|June 28, 2021|Outside Online
Mount that winch and bumper to your Bronco, and Ford will upload that program to your truck, allowing you to run those important off-road upgrades without compromising your on-road safety.
An Ode to the New Ford Bronco|Wes Siler|June 28, 2021|Outside Online
Ford took the time to develop its own steel bumper, specifically designed to carry that Warn winch.
An Ode to the New Ford Bronco|Wes Siler|June 28, 2021|Outside Online
Mounted right there on the front of the truck, that big, heavy winch-bumper combo is going to be the first thing to connect with another car in an accident.
An Ode to the New Ford Bronco|Wes Siler|June 28, 2021|Outside Online

Buy the Warn winch offered for the Bronco and the dealer flashes in new software for the airbag system so that it responds correctly to the changed crash impulse profile.
The 2021 Ford Bronco lives up to its massive hype|Rob Verger|June 28, 2021|Popular-Science
Video of the search shows the winch struggling to cope with the stormy conditions.
William's Winchman Wins Bravery Award|Tom Sykes|September 28, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Then out of the mist, a whirring of helicopter blades, and, deus ex machina, a man descends fromt he chopper to winch you aboard.
Girl Rescued by Prince William Speaks!|Tom Sykes|August 30, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Five of the crew manned the winch; the mate and Jerry went to a block-tackle which was also connected with the lifting apparatus.
The Floating Light of the Goodwin Sands|R.M. Ballantyne
Beyond the skylight rose the bright brass funnel of the cabin chimney, and the winch, by means of which the lantern was hoisted.
The Floating Light of the Goodwin Sands|R.M. Ballantyne
There was a ceaseless chorus of distant machinery, and above it rose the grinding and rattling solo of a steam winch.
Dope|Sax Rohmer
Desks and boxes were thrust aside, the winch was manned, and the weighty lantern mounted slowly to its nocturnal watch-tower.
The Floating Light of the Goodwin Sands|R.M. Ballantyne
Near this bench stands a slender machine like a whip provided with a stand, a pedal, and an exaggerated winch.
You Never Can Tell|George Bernard Shaw

British Dictionary definitions for winch (1 of 2)

winch¹

/ (wɪntʃ) /

noun

a windlass driven by a hand- or power-operated crank

a hand- or power-operated crank by which a machine is driven

verb

(tr; often foll by up or in) to pull (in a rope) or lift (a weight) using a winch

Derived forms of winch

wincher, noun

Word Origin for winch

Old English wince pulley; related to wink 1

British Dictionary definitions for winch (2 of 2)