leverage
pronunciation
How to pronounce leverage in British English:
UK [ˈliːvərɪdʒ]
How to pronounce leverage in American English:
US [ˈlevərɪdʒ]
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- Noun:
- the mechanical advantage gained by being in a position to use a lever
- strategic advantage; power to act effectively
- investing with borrowed money as a way to amplify potential gains (at the risk of greater losses)
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- Verb:
- supplement with leverage
- provide with leverage
Word Origin
- leverage (n.)
- 1724, "action of a lever," from lever (n.) + -age. Meaning "power or force of a lever" is from 1827; figurative sense from 1858. The financial sense is attested by 1933, American English; as a verb by 1956. Related: Leveraged; leverages; leveraging.
Example
- 1. The eurozone crisis has only increased china 's leverage .
- 2. This pro-cyclical leverage can feed on itself .
- 3. Why not use access to america 's market as leverage ?
- 4. Individuals have no other opportunity to take on so much leverage .
- 5. That gave the nobles enough leverage to check absolutism .