Definition of 'pliers'

COBUILD frequency band

pliers

(plaɪəʳz

)

plural noun [oft a pair of NOUN]

Pliers are a tool with two handles at one end and two hard, flat, metal parts at the other. Pliers are used for holding or pulling out things such as nails, or for bending or cutting wire.

Attach the chain to the bag with the pliers.

Image of
pliers

pliers in British English

(ˈplaɪəz

)

plural noun

a gripping tool consisting of two hinged arms with usually serrated jaws that close on the workpiece

Word origin

C16: from ply1

COBUILD frequency band

pliers in American English

(ˈplaɪərz )

plural nounOrigin: < ply1

small pincers in any of various forms, often with serrated jaws, for gripping small objects, bending wire, etc.

often: pair of pliers

COBUILD frequency band

pliers in American English

sometimes used with a sing v

(usually used with pair of)

small pincers with long jaws, for bending wire, holding small objects, etc.

See full dictionary entry for plier

Examples of 'pliers' in a sentence
pliers

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Once swollen they would pull out the nails with pliers.Why had he pulled out his own teeth with pliers?I show both palms to the pliers in a manner that says: stay.No, what really fills me with dread is the prospect of seeing a duckling having its leg torn off with pliers.This show contains many beautiful calligraphic drawings of birds in flight, or so it seems; in fact they are embroideries of pliers. Maybe you have a friend or neighbour who has some pliers you can borrow?He gripped the sole with a pair of pliers and began to peel it back. Firefighters were trying to pull it out with a pair of pliers.

Word lists with
pliers

tool

Quick word challenge

Quiz Review

Question: 1

Score: 0 / 5

Which tool am I?

an L-shaped tool consisting of a rod having a hexagonal cross section, used to turn a screw (Allen screw) with a hexagonal recess in the head. A different size of key is required for each size of screw

Allen key chisel screwdriver

Which tool am I?

an instrument or tool, such as a pair of pliers, for snipping, pinching, or squeezing

Allen key chisel nippers

Which tool am I?

a gripping tool consisting of two hinged arms with usually serrated jaws that close on the workpiece

hammer pliers screwdriver

Which tool am I?

a small steel tool with a conical tip used to punch a small indentation at the location of the centre of a hole to be drilled

centre punch chisel screwdriver

Which tool am I?

a power-driven tool for smoothing surfaces, esp wood, plastic, etc, by rubbing with an abrasive disc

chisel plane sander

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In other languages
pliers

British English: pliers /ˈplaɪəz/ NOUN

Pliers are a tool with two handles at one end and two hard, flat, metal parts at the other. Pliers are used to hold or pull out things such as nails.