I. ˈlev(ə)rij, ˈlēv-, -rēj noun
( -s )
1.
a. : the action or mechanical effect of a lever
its weight is greatly aggravated by the leverage caused by its projection — Harper's
b. : an arrangement or system of levers
2. : effectiveness , power , influence
would have had little bargaining leverage while the blast furnaces were cold — Christian Science Monitor
serious criticism has failed of leverage — Louis Kronenberger
3. : the intensified speculative effect of market fluctuations on a company's common stock caused by its outstanding bonds and preferred stock on which the interest rate is fixed
the majority of the large closed-end companies do have senior securities outstanding in varying amounts, and accordingly the companies have varying degrees of leverage — H.V.Prochnow
II. noun
1.
a. : borrowed money or its use to supplement capital or to increase the earning power of a relatively small investment
b. : the ability of a small investment to produce a large return
leverage is so great with any options strategy that … this portfolio can double in just a few months — M.G.Ansbacher
c. : the advantage gained by using leverage
it gave business healthy leverage : business could do more with less of its own money — Chris Welles
2. : the ratio of debt to equity
three other critical performance measures: return on assets, leverage , and return on equity — Business Week
III. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: leverage , noun
: to provide (as a corporation) or supplement (as money) with leverage
has stretched and leveraged capital — Fortune
also : to enhance as if by supplying with financial leverage
who use tools to leverage personal capabilities to the limit — advt