pull-up

1 of 2

noun

plural pull-ups
: an exercise in which one hangs by the hands from a support (such as a horizontal bar) and pulls oneself up until the chin is level with the support
specifically : such an exercise done with the palms facing outward compare chin-up

pull up

2 of 2

verb

pulled up; pulling up; pulls up

transitive verb

1
: to bring to a stop : halt
2

intransitive verb

1
a
: to check oneself
b
: to come to an often abrupt halt : stop
2
: to draw even with others in a race

Examples of pull-up in a Sentence

Verb the jockey tried to pull up the apparently injured horse
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Bridges’ pull-up at the horn came up short. C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026 The Timberwolves forced Murray to defend pick-and-rolls while Valanciunas was down the floor in coverage, resulting in a couple of pull-up 3s. Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 18 Apr. 2026
Verb
The Danish Algerian songwriter’s peripatetic new album pulls up at the bustling crossroads of the electroclash comeback and the contemporary Scandinavian school. Walden Green, Pitchfork, 24 Apr. 2026 There’s a tool that eliminates the need to bend or kneel to pull up weeds, and effectively removes the entire sprout according to shoppers, preventing the same plant from popping back up all summer. Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pull-up

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1901, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1623, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pull-up was in 1623

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pull-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/pull-up. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.

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