leverage

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
leverage /ˈliːv(ə)rɪdʒ/

▶noun

• 1 the exertion of force by means of a lever.

• 2 the power to influence: political leverage.

• 3 Finance another term for gearing (sense 2).

▶verb

• 1 (usu. as adj. leveraged) use borrowed capital for (an investment), expecting the profits made to be greater than the interest payable.

• 2 use (something) to maximum advantage: the organization needs to leverage its key resources.