Dictionary
Thesaurus
Medical
Scrabble®
Spanish Central
Browse DictionaryBrowse Thesaurus
Get our free apps!iPhone•iPad•Android
Games
Word of the Day
Video
Blog: Words at Play
My Faves
Dictionary

pliers

noun plural but singular or plural in construction pli·ers \ˈplī(-ə)rz\

: a tool that is used for holding small objects or for bending and cutting wire

Full Definition of PLIERS

:  a small pincers for holding small objects or for bending and cutting wire
ADVERTISEMENT

Origin of PLIERS

2ply
First Known Use: circa 1569
PLIERS Defined for Kids

pliers

noun plural pli·ers \ˈplī-ərz\

Definition of PLIERS for Kids

:  small pincers with long jaws used for bending or cutting wire or handling small things

Learn More About PLIERS

Browse

10 ENTRIES FOUND:
  1. pliers
  2. combination pliers
  3. cutting pliers
  4. drawing pliers
  5. gas pliers
  6. linemen's pliers
  7. needle-nose pliers
  8. punch pliers
  9. slip-joint pliers
  10. three-plier
Next Word in the Dictionary: plight (verb)Previous Word in the Dictionary: pliéAll Words Near: pliers
ADVERTISEMENT
10 Charming Words for Nasty People
Put-downs with flair
Learn More
When "Literally" isn't, well, literal
How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.
Watch Now
Know what this is?
Test your vocab with our fun, fast game
Go Play
Fear of cats?
Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears
Learn More
Join Us
Merriam-Webster
on Facebook
Merriam-Webster
on Twitter
Bookstore: Digital and Print
Merriam-Webster references for Mobile, Kindle, print, and more.
See All
Other Merriam-Webster Dictionaries