leverage

Meanings

Noun

• A force compounded by means of a lever rotating around a pivot; see torque.
• By extension, any influence which is compounded or used to gain an advantage.
• The use of borrowed funds with a contractually determined return to increase the ability of a business to invest and earn an expected higher return, but usually at high risk.
• The ability to earn very high returns when operating at high capacity utilization of a facility.

Verb

• To use; to exploit; to manipulate in order to take full advantage (of something).

Related

Similar words

• mechanical advantage
• gearing
• operating leverage
• exploit, use

Origin

• lever + -age