pincer

noun

pin·​cer ˈpin(t)-sər How to pronounce pincer (audio)
especially for sense 1 US often ˈpin-chər
1
a
pincers plural : an instrument having two short handles and two grasping jaws working on a pivot and used for gripping things
b
: a claw (as of a lobster) resembling a pair of pincers : chela
2
: pincer movement
pincerlike
ˈpin(t)-sər-ˌlīk How to pronounce pincer (audio)
adjective

Examples of pincer in a Sentence

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.
Its crew lower the robot — which is equipped with cameras as well as pincers — into the water. — CBS News, 29 Apr. 2026 Along its pincers, the scorpion has sensory hairs known as trichobothria. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 10 Mar. 2026 Giant scorpions the size of a baseball bat with pincers the size of a pencil once stalked what is now England and Wales. — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 4 June 2026 The team noticed a similarly clever metal arrangement in the pincers. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 1 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for pincer

Word History

Etymology

Middle English pinceour, from Anglo-French *pinceour, pinchure, from Anglo-French *pincher, pincer to pinch, from Vulgar Latin *pinctiare, *punctiare, from Latin punctum puncture — more at point

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of pincer was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing pincer

Rhymes for pincer

See All Rhymes for pincer

Browse Nearby Words

pince-nezed
pincer
pincerlike
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pincer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pincer. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

pincer

noun
pin·​cer ˈpin-chər How to pronounce pincer (audio)
ˈpin(t)-sər
1
plural : an instrument having two handles and two jaws that is used to grip things
2
: a claw (as of a lobster) resembling a pair of pincers
pincerlike
-ˌlīk How to pronounce pincer (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on pincer

Nglish: Translation of pincer for Spanish Speakers

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