pull definition

1. the act of pulling; applying force to move something toward or with you
• examples: the pull up the hill had him breathing harder
• examples: his strenuous pulling strained his back
2. the force used in pulling
• examples: the pull of the moon
• examples: the pull of the current
3. special advantage or influence
• examples: the chairman's nephew has a lot of pull
4. a device used for pulling something
• examples: he grabbed the pull and opened the drawer
5. a sustained effort
• examples: it was a long pull but we made it
6. cause to move by pulling
• examples: draw a wagon
• examples: pull a sled
7. move into a certain direction
• examples: the car pulls to the right
8. apply force so as to cause motion towards the source of the motion
• examples: Pull the rope
• examples: Pull the handle towards you
• examples: pull the string gently
• examples: pull the trigger of the gun
• examples: pull your knees towards your chin
9. steer into a certain direction
• examples: pull one's horse to a stand
• examples: Pull the car over
10. strain abnormally
• examples: I pulled a muscle in my leg when I jumped up
• examples: The athlete pulled a tendon in the competition
11. cause to move in a certain direction by exerting a force upon, either physically or in an abstract sense
• examples: A declining dollar pulled down the export figures for the last quarter
12. operate when rowing a boat
• examples: pull the oars
13. rein in to keep from winning a race
• examples: pull a horse
14. hit in the direction that the player is facing when carrying through the swing
• examples: pull the ball
15. take sides with; align oneself with; show strong sympathy for
• examples: We all rooted for the home team
• examples: I'm pulling for the underdog
• examples: Are you siding with the defender of the title?
16. take away
• examples: pull the old soup cans from the supermarket shelf