Pronunciation: /ˈliːv(ə)rɪdʒ, ˈlɛv(ə)rɪdʒ/
noun
[mass noun]-
1the exertion of force by means of a lever: my spade hit something solid that wouldn’t respond to leverage
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mechanical advantage gained by leverage: use a metal bar to increase the leverage
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the power to influence a person or situation: the right wing had lost much of its political leverage in the Assembly
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2 Finance the ratio of a company’s loan capital (debt) to the value of its ordinary shares (equity); gearing.
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the use of credit or borrowed capital to increase the earning potential of shares.
verb
[with object]-
1 (usually as adjective leveraged) use borrowed capital for (an investment), expecting the profits made to be greater than the interest payable: a leveraged takeover bid
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2use (something) to maximum advantage: the organization needs to leverage its key resources