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pull

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verb American English pronunciation: pull /pʊl/ 
Word Forms
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present tense
I/you/we/theypull
he/she/itpulls
present participlepulling
past tensepulled
past participlepulled
Other entries for this word
 
  1. 1
    [intransitive/transitive] to move someone or something toward you using your hands
    pull something away from/out of/into etc. something:

    Help me pull the sofa away from the wall.

    I climbed into bed and pulled the blankets over my head.

    pull at/on:

    The little girl pulled gently at my sleeve.

    pull something open/shut:

    Jane pulled the door open.

    pull something tight:

    Don't pull the string too tight.

    1. a.
      [transitive] to remove something or someone from inside or under something by moving them toward you
      pull someone out of something:

      A lifeguard had to pull her out of the water.

      pull something from something:

      He pulled a suitcase from under the bed.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of pull
    2. b.
      [transitive] to move something along behind you

      Two horses were pulling the plow.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of pull
    3. c.
      [transitive] to move a handle that controls a machine so that the machine works

      You pull hard on this lever to unlock the car's hood.

      She raised the gun and pulled the trigger.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of pull
  2. 2
    [transitive] to use force to remove something that is attached into or onto something else

    I'm going to the dentist to get a tooth pulled.

    pull something up:

    She was pulling up the weeds.

    pull off:

    Wash the mushrooms and pull off the stalks.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of pull
  3. 3
    [transitive] to move your body or part of your body using effort or force
    pull something up/out/back etc.:

    She nearly lost a shoe pulling her foot out of the hole.

    Head aching, he slowly pulled himself to his feet.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of pull
  5. 5
    [transitive] to take a gun or knife out of a pocket and be ready to use it
    pull something on someone:

    His attacker suddenly pulled a knife on him.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of pull
  6. 6
    [transitive] to open or close something that covers a window

    Alice pulled the curtains shut.

    The nurse pulled down the blinds.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of pull
  7. 7
    [intransitive/transitive] if something pulls a person or organization in a particular direction, it makes them want to do something by strongly attracting or influencing them

    Her heart pulled one way, her head another.

    Factions in the party are pulling in different directions.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of pull
  9. 9
    [transitive] to suck smoke from a cigarette, pipe, etc. into your mouth or lungs
    pull on/at:

    Mrs. Harris stood at the door pulling on a cigarette.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of pull

phrases

This is the American English definition of pull. View British English definition of pull.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to British English.

View the pronunciation for pull.

 

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