gear
noun
\ ˈgir
\
\
Definition of gear
(Entry 1 of 2)
2
: equipment, paraphernalia
fishing gear
3a
: the rigging of a ship or boat
b
: the harness especially of horses
6a(1)
: a mechanism that performs a specific function in a complete machine
steering gear
(2)
: a toothed wheel
(3)
: working relation, position, order, or adjustment
got her career in gear
(4)
: a level or pace of functioning
kicked their performance into high gear
b
: one of two or more adjustments of a transmission (as of a bicycle or motor vehicle) that determine mechanical advantage, relative speed, and direction of travel
gear
verb
geared;
gearing;
gears
Definition of gear (Entry 2 of 2)
1a
: to provide (machinery) with gearing (see gearing sense 2)
b
: to connect by gearing (see gearing sense 1)
2a
: to make ready for effective operation
b
: to adjust so as to match, blend with, or satisfy something
gearing wages to productivity
b
: shift sense 1c
gear down
2
: to become adjusted so as to match, blend, or harmonize
The industry is geared to meet growing consumer demand.
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Other Words from gear
Noun
gearless
\ -ləs
\
adjective
\
adjective
Synonyms for gear
Synonyms: Noun
accoutrements (or accouterments), apparatus, equipment, hardware, kit [chiefly British], material(s), matériel (or materiel), outfit, paraphernalia, stuff, tackle
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Examples of gear in a Sentence
Noun
I somehow managed to pack all my gear into one suitcase. soldiers in full combat gear a complicated arrangement of gears and shafts a car with four forward gears Halfway up the hill, my bike slipped out of gear.
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Yet humans continue to intrude, as illustrated by Michael Marks’s print of mountaintop-removal mining and Laura Ahola-Young’s drawing, incised into a sea-and-sky scene, of undersea oil-drilling gear. — Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, "In the galleries: ‘Habitats’ at Target Gallery showcases the nature of creativity," 6 Sep. 2019 Partly owned by Major League Baseball, Rawlings is now the nation’s largest supplier of baseball gear, and also a heavy importer from China. — Lydia Depillis, ProPublica, "Everything You Need to Play Baseball Is Made in China — and Getting Hit by Trump’s Tariffs," 3 Sep. 2019 Take up to half off tons of outdoor gear and clothing from brands like Patagonia, Arc’teryx, Osprey, The North Face, and others. — Paige Szmodis, Popular Mechanics, "The Best Labor Day Deals to Shop This Weekend," 29 Aug. 2019 Quincy police, for example, have received about $3,600 of Ring gear since November, most of which was donated, a police spokeswoman said. — Hiawatha Bray, BostonGlobe.com, "Amazon rings in police help for sales of doorbell security cameras," 28 Aug. 2019 Inevitably, as the research’s connection to the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA)’s Warrior Web program suggests, the suit’s users could also include military personnel, who frequently have to carry dozens of pounds of gear by foot. — Jon Porter, The Verge, "Scientists develop robotic shorts that make it easier to walk and run," 19 Aug. 2019 All of this gear was transported on the ice in a small sled that also served as a portable shelter during harsh weather conditions. — Steve Hoffman / Forum News Service, Twin Cities, "Minnesota angler’s ‘Holy Boat’ utilizes ice-fishing tactics in the summertime," 22 June 2019 Police with riot gear could be seen moving into position along the march route. — BostonGlobe.com, "Police, protesters skirmish in Hong Kong after pro-democracy march," 25 Aug. 2019 Police with riot gear could be seen moving into position along the march route. — NBC News, "Hong Kong police use water cannon on protesters as pro-democracy fight continues," 25 Aug. 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
While the report is largely geared toward policymakers, experts say there are things consumers can do to help curb the vicious cycle of climate change and land degradation. — Michael Nedelman, CNN, "Eat healthier, and you'll help save the planet, report says," 8 Aug. 2019 The catch is that because this therapy and related research are primarily geared toward men, no one is quite sure what the long-term risks are for women, Davis says. — Emily Willingham, Scientific American, "Testosterone Therapy Can Restore Women’s Libido—but Questions Remain," 30 July 2019 And whereas Grand Theft Auto is geared towards destruction, mayhem and murder, Judgement pushes players to behave. — Matthew Gault, Time, "Judgement Is the Perfect Game for Getting Into Japan's Favorite Crime Series," 24 July 2019 Although Rossi’s early training was all geared toward getting him to Formula One and Road America is one of the most F1-like tracks on the circuit, Rossi has never finished well. — Dave Kallmann, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Alexander Rossi's ride around Road America is wild and fast but far from pretty," 21 June 2019 Even geared toward visitors, though, Carrigan doesn’t expect there to be huge demand for people to hang out in a retail shop to consume edibles. — Tegan Hanlon, Anchorage Daily News, "On-site consumption of marijuana edibles is now legal in Anchorage. But is there any consumer demand?," 20 June 2019 These products will be priced affordably, as the project is geared towards helping lower-income consumers in the area. — Madeline Mitchell, Cincinnati.com, "Walnut Hills Redevelopment Foundation uses $100K grant to build grocery store," 6 July 2018 Just as the project is geared toward minimizing its impact on the environment, so was each step in its construction, Mr. Zirkel and garden officials said. — Keiko Morris, WSJ, "In the Botanical Garden, Construction Workers Tiptoe Quietly," 6 May 2018 While some professional networking is geared towards employment opportunities or other specific functions alone, Shapr allows users to make connections for a variety of reasons from freelance work to mentorship. — Stepfanie Romine, Indianapolis Star, "Looking for a new client, dream job or promotion? Just swipe right.," 30 Apr. 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'gear.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.