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Definition of pliers

pliers

/ˈplaɪ.ərz/
pli · ers
Plural:pliers
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pliers Lexical Profile

pliers Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A hand tool consisting of two hinged arms with serrated jaws, used for holding small objects firmly, bending wire, or applying physical compression.

Example

"The electrician reached into his toolbelt for a pair of pliers to cut and bend the heavy copper wire."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for pliers

Word Nuance & Usage

The word 'pliers' is a pluralia tantum; it refers to a single tool but takes a plural verb (e.g., 'the pliers are') unless preceded by the measure phrase 'a pair of' (e.g., 'a pair of pliers is').

• Rhymes for pliers

• Nearby Words

plectranthus
pleione
plesiosaur
pliers
pliosaur
plitvice
plitvice falls

Word Origin & Etymology

Mid 16th century: derived from the French verb 'plier' (to bend), which traces back to the Latin 'plicare' (to fold). The suffix '-s' is a standard English addition for tools consisting of two joined parts.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Pliers. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 18, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/pliers
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