Skip to main content
pulley-block

pulley-block

7.3
A wheel with a groove that a rope runs in to lift things or change the rope's direction
  • noun
  • /ˈpʌli blɑk/
  • Specialized
translation icon : bloque de polea
  • They used a pulley-block to hoist the heavy crate onto the ship.

Examples

  • The old barn still had a rusty pulley-block hanging from the rafters.

  • A pulley-block reduces the amount of force needed to lift an object.

  • Look at the pulley-block!

  • The pulley-block helped lift the heavy crate.

  • A pulley-block is essential for lifting heavy loads with minimal effort.

  • The crew installed a pulley-block to change the direction of the hauling rope.

  • Using a pulley-block greatly simplified the task of raising the heavy flagpole.

Synonyms

pulley
vspulley-block
  • Specialized
23 3.4

A wheel with a groove that a rope moves on to lift things or change the direction of a pull

is the device often used in assemblies to lift loads or redirect force
block
vspulley-block
  • Specialized
15 6.8

A wheel with a groove that a rope runs through

is the whole device term rather than the component
pulley block
vspulley-block
  • Specialized
4.2

A wheel with a groove for a rope that helps lift or move heavy things

is the same meaning but written with a hyphen
snatch block
vspulley-block
  • Specialized
9.3

A pulley that opens so you can place a rope inside without passing the end through

is the general grooved wheel device without that opening feature
bullock block
vspulley-block
  • Archaic
9.9

A small wheel used with a rope to help raise sails at the top of a ship's mast

is the general device used across contexts rather than ship specific

Surface Forms

pulley-block singular
pulley-blocks plural

Etymology

Pulley-block combines pulley, a tool that helps you 'pull' by using a wheel, and block, a frame or piece of wood that holds the wheel, so a pulley-block is the wheel-in-a-frame that changes the rope's direction and makes lifting heavy things easier.