1 axle | Definition of axle

axle

noun
ax·​le | \ ˈak-sÉ™l How to pronounce axle (audio) \

Definition of axle

1a : a pin or shaft on or with which a wheel or pair of wheels revolves
b(1) : a fixed bar or beam with bearings at its ends on which wheels (as of a cart) revolve
(2) : the spindle of such a beam
2 archaic : axis

Examples of axle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That's not always how it's done—the Volvo system, for instance, places the electric motor on the rear axle, so in EV mode the vehicle is rear-wheel-drive. Ezra Dyer, Popular Mechanics, "I Got 75 Miles Per Gallon...in a Range Rover?," 11 Aug. 2019 However small trucks with two axles can go 65 mph and use whatever lane is open. Gary Richards, The Mercury News, "New lane on I-680 will be converted to an express lane: Roadshow," 9 Aug. 2019 Her husband worked at an axle maker, first seeing his wages cut in half before the factory closed and relocated to Mexico in the mid-2000s. Los Angeles Times, "Beers, nostalgia and worry in Michigan as historic GM plant closes," 28 July 2019 Even the rear bumper beam, a part any owner is unlikely to see or even be aware of, changes: Chevy’s engineers had to make it of carbon fiber instead of steel or aluminum to minimize the weight behind the rear axle. Alex Davies, WIRED, "How It Feels to Drive—and Crash—the First-Ever Mid-Engine Corvette," 18 July 2019 In the biggest change in America’s greatest sports car’s 66-year history, engineers moved the eighth-generation 'Vette’s engine from its familiar location under the hood to behind the passengers, over the rear axle. Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, "Chevy breaks the mold with faster, more sophisticated 2020 Corvette Stingray," 18 July 2019 Up to 50% of the engine's torque can be sent to the rear wheels, although at low load, a clutch decouples the rear axle for better efficiency. Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, "The 2019 Volkswagen Golf R is king of the hot hatches," 12 July 2019 Rowley wanted to do a 50-50 grind on a hubba, riding on just the metal axle of his board down the concrete edge of a barrier separating two halves of an outdoors set of stairs. Jack Harriswriter, Los Angeles Times, "Geoff Rowley’s daring stunt at Convention Center is immortalized with statue," 1 Aug. 2019 These are obvious There’s a spot in your roller bag at the bottom where the wheel axles make an indentation. Sheryl Julian, BostonGlobe.com, "For two weeks’ vacation, all you need is a carry-on and these handy travel tips," 30 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'axle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of axle

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for axle

Middle English axel- (as in axeltre)

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More Definitions for axle

axle

noun

English Language Learners Definition of axle

: a bar on which a wheel or a pair of wheels turns

axle

noun
ax·​le | \ ˈak-sÉ™l How to pronounce axle (audio) \

Kids Definition of axle

: a pin or shaft on or with which a wheel or pair of wheels turns

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More from Merriam-Webster on axle

Spanish Central: Translation of axle

Nglish: Translation of axle for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of axle for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about axle