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DictionarypullDrawing by force
verb / noun

pull

PULL/pʊl/

To draw something in a direction by exerting force.

A man pulls a small garden cart toward himself with a taut rope.

A man leans backward while pulling a small wheeled garden cart toward himself with a taut rope, making the direction of force clear.
Etymology
pullOld Englishto pluck off, draw out

Old English pullian described plucking off wool or drawing something out. The modern sense broadens that extracting action to moving something toward oneself or in another direction.

In context

AllAttack1:39
Then use the underside of your foot to pull the ball back toward your body. As the ball rolls back, put your foot underneath the ball
10 EASY Flick Up Skills EVERYONE Can Learn

More examples

  • She opens the stuck drawer with a firm pull.
  • We spend the morning pulling weeds from the garden.
  • The pull of the ocean brings us back every summer.
  • He has enough pull to get the decision reconsidered.

Forms

pull · pulls · pulled · pulling

Similar words

tug
Suggests a short, sharp pull, often repeated.
drag
Emphasizes pulling something along a surface against resistance.
haul
Suggests pulling something heavy or bulky with considerable effort.