pliers

noun

pli·​ers ˈplī(-ə)rz How to pronounce pliers (audio)
plural in form but singular or plural in construction
: a small pincers for holding small objects or for bending and cutting wire

Examples of pliers in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The multitool is set up with pliers, a file, an opener, a blade, and much more. Mark Stock, Men's Health, 3 Dec. 2022 While the various tools aren’t as fast and smooth to deploy as a single-blade pocket knife, all tools besides the pliers can be accessed without folding it open. Adrienne Donica, Popular Mechanics, 8 Dec. 2022 One of the creativity tests involved two strings hanging from the ceiling and a pair of pliers. Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2021 The tool has 19 individual tools that sportspeople can use to fix their fishing or hunting gear including two knives, pliers wrenches and a fire starter, among other things. Chris Meehan, Popular Mechanics, 13 Dec. 2022 See all Example Sentences for pliers 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pliers.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

ply entry 3 (in sense "to bend") + -ers (plural of -er entry 2)

First Known Use

1565, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pliers was in 1565

Dictionary Entries Near pliers

Cite this Entry

“Pliers.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pliers. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.

Kids Definition

pliers

plural noun
pli·​ers ˈplī(-ə)rz How to pronounce pliers (audio)
: a small pincers for holding small objects or for bending and cutting wire

More from Merriam-Webster on pliers

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