fulcrum

[ foo l-kruh m, fuhl- ]
/ ˈfʊl krəm, ˈfʌl- /

noun, plural ful·crums, ful·cra [foo l-kruh, fuhl-] /ˈfʊl krə, ˈfʌl-/.

the support, or point of rest, on which a lever turns in moving a body.
any prop or support.
Zoology. any of various structures in an animal serving as a hinge or support.

verb (used with object)

to fit with a fulcrum; put a fulcrum on.

Origin of fulcrum

1665–75; < Latin: back-support of a couch, apparently for fulctrum, equivalent to fulc(īre) to hold up, support + -trum noun suffix of instrument

Example sentences from the Web for fulcrum

British Dictionary definitions for fulcrum

fulcrum
/ (ˈfʊlkrəm, ˈfʌl-) /

noun plural -crums or -cra (-krə)

the pivot about which a lever turns
something that supports or sustains; prop
a spinelike scale occurring in rows along the anterior edge of the fins in primitive bony fishes such as the sturgeon

Word Origin for fulcrum

C17: from Latin: foot of a couch, bedpost, from fulcire to prop up

Medical definitions for fulcrum

fulcrum
[ fulkrəm, fŭl- ]

n. pl. ful•crums

The point or support on which a lever pivots.
An anatomical structure that acts as a hinge or point of support.

Scientific definitions for fulcrum

fulcrum
[ fulkrəm ]

The point or support on which a lever turns. The position of the fulcrum, relative to the positions of the load and effort, determines the type of lever.

Cultural definitions for fulcrum

fulcrum
[ (fool-kruhm, ful-kruhm) ]

The point on which a lever is balanced when a force is exerted.