dead lift

noun

: a lift in weight lifting in which the weight is lifted from the floor to hip level
deadlift
ˈded-ˌlift How to pronounce dead lift (audio)
transitive verb

Examples of dead lift 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.
His top efforts in the three areas — bench press, squat and dead lift — are 315 pounds, 425 pounds and 565 pounds, respectively. — Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026 For instance, carrying groceries demands strength and stability but less rigid activation than a heavy dead lift would. — Dana Santas, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026 Exercises like squats, leg press and dead lifts energize them. — Matt Parrott, Arkansas Online, 5 July 2026 Heavy weights dropped after power cleans or dead lifts bounce vertically rather than side to side. — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for dead lift

Word History

First Known Use

1874, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dead lift was in 1874

Rhymes for dead lift

See All Rhymes for dead lift

Browse Nearby Words

dead letter
dead lift
deadlight
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dead lift.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dead%20lift. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of oxymoron

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Is “GIF” Pronounced “Jiff” or “Giff”?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All