1. A strong bar that is used to lift and to move something heavy: Jack had to use a lever in order to lift up the crate containing bricks.
2. A rod which is used to operate or to adjust something on a machine, a vehicle, a device, etc.: Jim was told to pull the brake lever in order to stop the loading of gravel into the truck.

1. To lift or to move something: The highway contractors were levering the big rocks out of the area where the new road would go.
2. To move or to force something; especially, in an effort to get something open: Mark levered an opening into the top of the steel barrel.