the exertion of force by means of a lever

my spade hit something solid that wouldn't respond to leverage

the ratio of a company's loan capital (debt) to the value of its ordinary shares (equity); gearing

use borrowed capital for (an investment), expecting the profits made to be greater than the interest payable

without clear legal title to their assets, they own property that cannot be leveraged as collateral for loans

you can leverage your stock portfolio and diversify into real estate

use (something) to maximum advantage

the organization needs to leverage its key resources