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gear

gear

180 2.9
A wheel with teeth that makes parts of a machine move
  • noun
  • /ɡɪr/
translation icon : engranaje
  • So obviously this gear turns this gear, and this gear turns this gear.
  • gear ratio
  • gear shaft
  • gear pump

It's like going down the highway when first gear, you know, forever.

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Examples

  • I was only in second gear at the time.

  • I shifted down a couple of gears and hardly noticed the change.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Trying to get a gear this big would be quite hard.

  • So what is a typical gear ratio for for a robot?

  • Mr. X, now Officer X, puts the car in gear and drives into the night.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • You just threw your car into gear and smashed into me.

  • Although versatile, each gear is restricted by its design and method of operation.

    Academic text (1995)
  • Now, these plastic blue gears are for the calendar wheel.

  • Furthermore, the gears had the added advantage of smoothing out the turning of the axle.

    Academic text (2012)
  • The mechanic replaced the broken gear to improve the machine's performance.

Synonyms

transmission
vsgear
  • Specialized
73 3.9

A system of gears in a vehicle that sends power from the engine to the wheels

is the general mechanical part-or-system term covering such sets
train
vsgear
  • Specialized
47 7.7

A set of round parts with teeth that pass power along

is the simpler part-or-system term that can cover such a set
automatic transmission
vsgear
  • Specialized
7 3.7

A car system that changes gears by itself so the driver does not have to shift them

is the basic mechanical term for parts or systems without automation
pinion
vsgear
  • Specialized
3 8.9

A small gear with few teeth that fits a larger gear

is the general part-or-system label rather than this small component
transmission system
vsgear
  • Specialized
1 3.7

A set of parts in a vehicle that send power from the engine to the wheels

is the basic machinery term that can mean vehicle power systems too
cogwheel
vsgear
  • Specialized
1 6.9

A round wheel with teeth that fit into another wheel to make it turn

is the general term for machines built from these toothed wheels
gearset
vsgear
  • Specialized
1 6.2

A set of gears that work together to change machine speed or power

is the general name for a single part or many working parts
gearing
vsgear
  • Specialized
1 6.3

The parts in a machine that work together to change speed and force

is the actual part or system rather than only its arrangement
wheelwork
vsgear
  • Specialized
1 7.8

The wheels and gears inside a machine that make it move

is the general term for parts or systems that include those wheels and linkages
power train
vsgear
  • Specialized
1 5.1

Connected gears and parts that send power from a vehicle's engine or motor to its wheels

is the simpler part-or-system label for these power-transmitting parts
reduction gear
vsgear
  • Specialized
1 5.3

A group of gears that makes a fast shaft turn more slowly and gives more turning power to the output

is the general term for parts or systems not only for reduction
worm gear
vsgear
  • Specialized
1 6.1

A gear with a screw shaft that turns a toothed wheel to change direction and make turning slower and stronger

is the general term for the part or system beyond this pair
gearwheel
vsgear
4.2

A round wheel with teeth that makes another wheel turn in a machine

is the general part or system built from such toothed wheels
gear wheel
vsgear
  • Specialized
3.5

A round wheel with teeth that fits together with another wheel to move parts or change speed

is the broader name for the system using such toothed wheels
geared wheel
vsgear
  • Specialized
6.3

A round wheel with teeth that fits another to change speed or direction

is the broader term for systems using rim teeth
geartrain
vsgear
  • Specialized
6.9

A group of wheels with teeth that pass on and change movement and force

is the single part or system that may include such interconnected sets
gear mechanism
vsgear
  • Specialized
4.1

A group of wheels with teeth that pass movement and force to make a machine work

is the basic part-or-system name for that mechanical unit
epicyclic gear train
vsgear
  • Specialized
6.5

A set of gears where one gear moves around a central gear while spinning to change speed or force

is the wider part-or-system term not limited to this arrangement
epicyclic gear
vsgear
  • Specialized
8.8

A gear that turns around a central gear to change speed or turning force

is the broader part-or-system concept that can include this wheel type
differential gear
vsgear
  • Specialized
5.8

A set of gears that lets two wheels turn at different speeds when a car turns

is the broad part-or-system word covering such differential setups
bevel gear
vsgear
  • Specialized
6.5

A wheel with teeth set at an angle to change motion between two crossing shafts

is the wider part-or-system term not limited to angled wheels
pinion and ring gear
vsgear
  • Specialized
8.0

Gears that fit together at a right angle to send power between car axles

is the broader part-or-system term that can include angled sets

Idioms

22 3.6

With the gears engaged so a car or machine can move when the engine runs

4 4.4

Working very fast and doing everything needed

2 9.9

Start working quickly and with more energy

1 3.5

Completely ready and working at full speed

out of gear
  • Specialized
1 4.6

The gears are not engaged so the engine does not move the wheels

A person who has gear for an activity but does not know how to use it

9.9

To start working quickly and seriously

Compounds

landing gear
  • Specialized
17 3.1

Wheels and parts under a plane that hold it on the ground during takeoff and landing

13 3.7

A forward setting in a vehicle that lets it go fastest with low engine speed

8 1.7

Equipment that people use to catch fish, like rods, nets, lines and hooks

4 1.6

Clothing and items like a raincoat or umbrella that keep you dry in rain

3 2.5

A car setting used after first for low to medium speed and more power

3 2.8

A gear in a car that makes the car move slowly when you start

2 3.2

A lower setting in a vehicle that gives more power and less speed for starting and climbing

reverse gear
  • Specialized
1 3.7

A gear in a vehicle that makes it move backwards

1 3.4

A car setting that gives more speed than second but more power than higher gears

Clothing that keeps you dry and warm in rain or storms

1 3.2

Moving the gears in a car changes speed or power

1 3.6

A handle in a car you move to change gears

top gear
  • Informal
1 3.8

A time when someone works at their highest speed or energy

laughing gear
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A person's mouth and their ability to speak or make happy sounds

gear queer
  • Slang
1 9.9

A person who loves equipment for hobbies like cycling

reduction gear
  • Specialized
1 5.3

A group of gears that makes a fast shaft turn more slowly and gives more turning power to the output

planetary gear
  • Specialized
1 7.4

A gear that turns around a central sun gear to change speed in a gearbox

sun gear
  • Specialized
1 6.0

A central gear that other gears turn around and that drives them

spur gear
  • Specialized
1 5.3

A wheel with straight teeth that turns another wheel on a parallel axle

worm gear
  • Specialized
1 6.1

A gear with a screw shaft that turns a toothed wheel to change direction and make turning slower and stronger

bevel gear
  • Specialized
6.5

A wheel with teeth set at an angle to change motion between two crossing shafts

chafing gear
  • Jargon
8.5

Material like rope that protects a line or pole from rubbing

differential gear
  • Specialized
5.8

A set of gears that lets two wheels turn at different speeds when a car turns

epicyclic gear
  • Specialized
8.8

A gear that turns around a central gear to change speed or turning force

epicyclic gear train
  • Specialized
6.5

A set of gears where one gear moves around a central gear while spinning to change speed or force

fixed-gear drivetrain
  • Specialized
7.0

A system that connects the pedals to the rear wheel so you must keep pedalling while the bike moves

gear case
  • Specialized
4.1

A metal cover that holds and protects gears in a machine or vehicle

gear mechanism
  • Specialized
4.1

A group of wheels with teeth that pass movement and force to make a machine work

A sudden change in plan or way of doing things to improve results

gear wheel
  • Specialized
3.5

A round wheel with teeth that fits together with another wheel to move parts or change speed

Clothes and tools you need for long walks in hills or mountains

pinion and ring gear
  • Specialized
8.0

Gears that fit together at a right angle to send power between car axles

planet gear
  • Specialized
7.7

A small wheel with teeth that turns around a central gear and fits inside an outer ring

Equipment for horses like saddles, bridles and harnesses

steering gear
  • Specialized
4.0

A car part that moves the front wheels when the driver turns the wheel

How Complex

transmission
  • Specialized
73 3.9
gearbox
  • UK
12 4.6
gear mechanism
  • Specialized
4.1
gear
180 2.9
cog
  • Specialized
8 5.6

Surface Forms

gear singular
gears plural

Etymology

Gear (the machine part) comes from an old word for a 'tool' or 'device' and was used for wheels with teeth that catch each other, like the gears on a bicycle. That is why gear names the toothed wheel that changes motion or speed in a machine.