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Added 2 October 2026

pull

/pʊl/ verb

In Latin: vellō, trahō Wiktionary

verb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about pull at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

To apply a force to (an object) so that it comes toward the person or thing applying the force.
When I give the signal, pull the rope.
To gather with the hand, or by drawing toward oneself; to pluck or pick (flowers, fruit, etc.).
to pull fruit from a tree
To attract or net; to pull in.

noun

An act of pulling (applying force toward oneself).
He gave the hair a sharp pull and it came out.
An attractive force which causes motion towards the source.
The spaceship came under the pull of the gas giant.
An advantage over somebody; a means of influencing.
The hypnotist exerted a pull over his patients.

Origin

Verb from Middle English pullen, from Old English pullian (“to pull, draw, tug, pluck off”), of uncertain ultimate origin. Related to West Frisian pûlje (“to shell, husk”), Middle Dutch pullen (“to drink”), Middle Dutch polen (“to peel, strip”), Low German pulen (“to pick, pluck, pull, tear, strip off husks”), Icelandic púla (“to work hard, beat”). Noun from Middle English pul, pull, pulle, from the verb pullen (“to pull”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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