what is the definition of pull in swimming?

probably referring to using a pull bouy. if you're not sure what those are, check here.....
http://www.lane4swim.com/speedopullbouy.html
a pull bouy allows you to concentrate on your upper body during the stroke by keeping your legs afloat and giving you the freedom to not kick during your pull session

Pull can mean a few things, I'll list them from easiest to most difficult:

1) Pull Buoy + Paddles: A Pull-buoy is an oval shaped piece of foam connected to another identical piece by 2 straps. The point of them is to eliminate the need to kick during swimming in order to practice proper pulling technique and getting a feel for rolling in the water during freestyle. Paddles are exactly what they sound like, plastic devices that attach to your hands to greatly increase the surface area of your hands in order to practice proper elbow/hand position as well as a proper pull through.

2) Pull Buoy + Paddles + Band: The band is used in order to completely immobilize the legs, by joining the ankles together. It's usually cut out of an old tire tube!

3) Pull Buoy + Band: No paddles, makes it a little more difficult to keep momentum and body roll.

4) Band + paddles: This is absolutely disgustingly hard, and wouldn't suggest this for a WHILE. No pull buoy to keep you afloat, and your feet tied together. The paddles make it much more difficult to keep a high cadence and therefore requires a much more focused and strong pull.

So, all of that said. What I would suggest is to first try your luck with just a pull-buoy. If you feel comfortable enough with that, strap on some paddles. If you have access to a band, I would HIGHLY suggest starting out with it (+ a pullbuoy of course), since you will be forced to activate your core to stay stable, and will train you to do so in your normal swim.

Hope all of this helps!
Derek

good call on the paddles derek, those things work wonders with your stroke. if you're not sure what paddles are, check here
http://www.lane4swim.com/spcoswpa.html
if you count your strokes for one length without the paddles a few times, then use the paddles for a while, then go back to swimming without them, they will def decrease your stroke count

Speaking of paddles and sorry to op for slight hijack, i tried mine out for the first time using the pull buoy and felt so awkward, i thought i was going to roll over! Does this get easier or is my form THAT bad?

kt65---my apologies to OP as well, but it shouldnt be any different than your stroke without the paddles. all the paddles do is promote proper grabbing of the water during the pull. if you are having a hard time with it, i would suggest slowing your stroke turnover way down and really focusing on pulling your body forward not moving your hand through the water. the way i think about it (and this is what worked for me) is that once my hand enters the water, it stays in that same spot during the entire stroke, it is my body being pulled forward past my hand, not my hand being pulled down to my hip. for all i know, this may be the correct way of thinking, but i've never had any swim coaching. there are many others on the site who are much more experienced than i when it comes to swimming.