Forceps are a tool.
Forceps ( plural forceps or forcipes ) are a handheld , hinged instrument used for grasping and holding objects . Outside medicine , people usually refer to forceps as tweezers , tongs , pliers , clips or clamps . Mechanically , forceps employ the principle of the lever to grasp and apply pressure . There are two basic types of forceps : non-locking ( often called ` thumb forceps ' or ` pick-ups ' ) and locking , though these two types come in dozens of specialized forms for various uses .