Definition

1. Noun:

   • A mechanical lifting device: A winch is a machine that uses a horizontal cylinder (drum) turned by a crank or motor. A cable or rope winds around this cylinder to pull or lift heavy objects.
   • A specific type of reel: In specific contexts, like sports, a winch can refer to a cylinder for winding a cable, such as on a sailboat or in climbing equipment.

2. Verb:

   • To pull or lift using a winch: The action of using a winch to hoist, pull, or tighten something.
   • To pull up as if with a winch: To pull something up with a similar mechanical or strenuous effort.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The crew used a powerful winch to lift the anchor.
  • The sailboat's winch made adjusting the sails much easier.

• Verb:

  • We need to winch the car out of the ditch.
  • They winched the supplies up to the mountain camp.

Advanced Usage

• "to winch something up/down/in/out": This phrasal structure specifies the direction of the pulling action.
  • The climbers were winched up to the helicopter.
  • Winch in the rope slowly and carefully.

Variants and Related Words

• Winching (gerund/noun): The act or process of using a winch.
  • The winching operation was completed successfully.
• Capstan: A related nautical device, a vertical-axled rotating machine used for similar purposes on ships.

Synonyms

• Hoist (verb/noun): To raise or lift something, often with mechanical help.
• Windlass (noun): A specific type of winch used especially on ships for lifting anchors.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Winch up: To lift or pull something upwards using a winch.
  • The mechanics winched up the engine for inspection.
• Winch out: To pull something out from a confined or stuck position.
  • The truck was badly stuck and had to be winched out.

Related Idioms

(Note: "Winch" is a technical term and is not commonly used in idiomatic expressions. Its usage is primarily literal.)

Noun

1. lifting device consisting of a horizontal cylinder turned by a crank on which a cable or rope winds

Verb

1. pull or lift up with or as if with a winch
   • winch up the slack line