le·ver·age
ˈle-və-rij 
ˈlē-;
ˈlev-rij,
ˈlēv-
1
: the action of a lever or the mechanical advantage gained by it
2
: power, effectiveness
trying to gain more political leverage
3
: the use of credit to enhance one's speculative capacity
leveraged; leveraging
1
: to provide (something, such as a corporation) or supplement (something, such as money) with leverage
also
: to enhance as if by supplying with financial leverage
2
: to use for gain : exploit
shamelessly leverage the system to their advantage—
Alexander Wolff
Alexander WolffExamples of leverage in a Sentence
Noun
The union's size gave it leverage in the labor contract negotiations.
The player's popularity has given him a great deal of leverage with the owners of the team.
I used the leverage of the bar and a wooden block to pry the rock out of the hole.
Verb
The company wants to leverage its brands more effectively.
a reality show contestant who's trying to leverage her 15 minutes of fame
Recent Examples on the Web
Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 18 Aug. 2025
Offensive coordinator Greg Harbaugh also can motion Loya around to create leverage and access.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 15 Aug. 2025
Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
For those who say Fantastic Beasts could be leveraged to provide 10 seasons over 10 years, WBD brass said specifically during the announcement that FB will not be a part of the series.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for leverage
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Noun
In so doing, the Administration hopes to use these gains as leverage in its negotiations with Beijing.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 18 Aug. 2025
Offensive coordinator Greg Harbaugh also can motion Loya around to create leverage and access.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
The quarterly rebalanced mix of large-, mid-, and small-cap RV Portfolio stocks has offered a responsive means to leverage favorable market conditions while minimizing losses during downturns, as elaborated in RV Portfolio performance metrics.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
For those who say Fantastic Beasts could be leveraged to provide 10 seasons over 10 years, WBD brass said specifically during the announcement that FB will not be a part of the series.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for leverage
Cite this Entry
“Leverage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leverage. Accessed 23 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
leverage
1 of 2 noun
le·ver·age
ˈle-vrij, -və-rij
: the use of credit to enhance one's speculative capacity
leverage
2 of 2 transitive verb
leveraged; leveraging
: to provide (as a corporation) or supplement (as money) with leverage
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