winch
C1Technical, nautical, industrial, off-road.
Definition
Meaning
A mechanical device used for lifting or pulling heavy loads, consisting of a cable or rope wound around a rotating drum.
The act of using such a device; to haul or hoist something using a winch.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a technical and functional term. Can refer to the device (noun) or the action of using it (verb). Often implies heavy-duty or industrial lifting/pulling.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or form. Pronunciation differs slightly (vowel).
Connotations
Neutral in both. Associated with mechanics, sailing, construction, and off-road vehicles.
Frequency
Slightly more common in British English in general maritime/industrial contexts due to historical nautical prevalence.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
winch + [object] + prepositional phrase (e.g., winch the car out of the ditch)[object] + be winched + prepositional phrase (e.g., the climber was winched to safety)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly. The verb may appear in phrases like 'winched up/down/to safety'.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in specific industries like shipping, construction equipment, or vehicle manufacturing.
Academic
Found in engineering, maritime studies, and mechanical texts.
Everyday
Limited to contexts involving towing, off-roading, or heavy lifting.
Technical
Core usage. Standard term in mechanical, maritime, and off-road vehicle manuals.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- They had to winch the stranded lorry back onto the motorway.
- The lifeboat crew winched the injured sailor aboard.
American English
- We'll need to winch the Jeep out of this mud hole.
- The helicopter winched the hiker to safety from the cliff.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The big truck has a winch on the front.
- They used a winch to lift the boat.
- The fisherman used a manual winch to pull the nets onto the deck.
- If your car gets stuck, a winch can help pull it free.
- The recovery vehicle's powerful winch effortlessly pulled the overturned tractor upright.
- The crew operated the anchor winch smoothly as the ship prepared to dock.
- The engineers designed a failsafe mechanism for the main cargo winch to prevent catastrophic failure.
- Using a complex system of pulleys and winches, they managed to position the delicate statue onto its plinth.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
WINCH sounds like PINCH, but you use a WINCH to lift a heavy load, not your fingers.
Conceptual Metaphor
PULLING/RAISING IS A MECHANICAL PROCESS (e.g., 'winched out of trouble').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'wrench' (гаечный ключ). 'Winch' is specifically a winding hoist, often лебёдка.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect spelling: 'wrench' (which is a tool).
- Using as a general verb for 'pull' instead of the specific mechanical action.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'winch' LEAST likely to be used correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A winch typically winds a cable onto a drum and is often used for horizontal pulling (e.g., towing) or angled lifting. A hoist is more specifically designed for vertical lifting, often using a chain or cable over a pulley system.
No, it's also a verb meaning to use a winch, as in 'to winch something up'.
No, it's a specialist term. Most people encounter it in specific hobbies (boating, off-roading) or professions (construction, shipping).
A crew member, especially in aviation or maritime rescue, who operates the winch. For example, a helicopter winchman is lowered on a cable to perform rescues.