axle

noun

ax·​le ˈak-səl 

1

a

: 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

There are massive two-piece ventilated brake rotors, with four-piston Brembo calipers, on the front axle. —Michael Harley, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025

The toll rate for passenger vehicles is $4 per car or $2 per axle, the Bridge Authority's website says. —Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 24 July 2025

The most popular Cybertruck, the all-wheel-drive version with one motor each for powering the two axles, clocks in at $80,000 without extras instead of the $50,000 promised at its reveal in November 2019, when reservation owners could make a deposit. —Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 17 July 2025

The new rates will range from $2.68 for passenger cars to $16.01 for trucks with five or more axles. —Killian Baarlaer, Louisville Courier Journal, 17 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English axil, probably independent use of axil- in axeltre, axiltre axletree

Note: This word effectively replaced rare Middle English axe "axle," descended from Old English eax—see axis.

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing axle

• wheel and axle

Rhymes for axle

• docetaxel
• paclitaxel
• transaxle

Kids Definition

axle

noun

ax·​le ˈak-səl 

: a pin, pole, or bar on or with which a wheel revolves