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Glite Dictionary
gearshift

gearshift

6 4.2
A lever in a car that you move to change how fast the wheels turn
  • noun
  • /ˈɡɪrˌʃɪft/
  • US
translation icon : cambio
  • Learning to drive a stick-shift car was difficult, requiring the coordination of clutch and gearshift, and it was tricky getting started on a steep hill after stopping for a red light.
  • gearshift knob
  • gearshift lever
  • gearshift into reverse

Examples

  • Pushed in on the clutch and fiddled with the gearshift.

    Fiction book (1999)

  • The gearshift pops out at 60.

    Widows (2018)

  • Watch out for the gearshift.

    Honey, I Blew Up the Kid (1992)

  • His hand moves to the gearshift.

    Fiction book (1997)

  • Okay, put the gearshift down two notches.

    Sneakers (1992)

  • Then he pulled the gearshift toward him and up with a grinding sound.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • Reaching over her, Daniel threw the gearshift into reverse.

    Fiction book (1995)

  • Archie pushed the gearshift into third and set his hand on her knee.

    Fiction book (2002)

  • My mother emphasized a wide H as she pulled the steering column gearshift into first and aimed the wheels at the two girls.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • Eliza shifted the gearshift smoothly to switch from Park to Drive.

Synonyms

shifter
vsgearshift
  • Specialized
8 6.5

A lever that changes gears in a car or bike

is restricted to vehicles rather than machines
gear lever
vsgearshift
  • UK
1 3.6

A handle in a car you move to change gears

is the more general mechanical term for the same transmission function
gearstick
vsgearshift
  • UK
1 4.2

A lever in a car that you move by hand to change gears

is not limited to manual hand operation and covers mechanical devices generally

How Automatic

automatic transmission
  • Specialized
7 3.7
gearshift
  • US
6 4.2
synchromesh
  • Specialized
1 9.3
gearstick
  • UK
1 4.2

Surface Forms

gearshift singular
gearshifts plural

Morphology

gearshift = gear + shift (transparent) = gear + shift

Direct compound of 'gear' + 'shift'; the meaning 'a device for shifting gears' follows straightforwardly from its parts.

Etymology

Gearshift is a simple compound of gear, which means the wheels in a machine that change speed, and shift, which means 'to move' or 'change'. So a gearshift is the control you move to change gears and make the car go faster or slower.