axle

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noun ax·le \ ˈak-səl \

Definition of axle

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

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Recent Examples of axle from the Web

At 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 4, crowds and competitors will gather in the parking lot to see who, if anyone, can make it to the top off an old wooden utility pole covered in axle grease.

— cleveland.com, "103rd St. Rocco Festival: Don't miss highlights from zeppole to the greasy pole," 25 Aug. 2017
With a bathroom, kitchenette, and sleeping area compacted in the small frame, the abode is based on a single-axle trailer and weighs 4,500 pounds.

— courtney campbell, Country Living, "Take a Peek Inside This Adorable Tiny House That's Just 100 Square Feet," 24 Aug. 2017
Behind an old fire station in the Airport Heights neighborhood, traffic engineers are testing several sets of raised bumps with grooves in the middle that allow a wide-axle fire truck to pass through.

— devin kelly, Alaska Dispatch News, "Loved by neighborhoods, hated by fire crews, speed bumps hit a roadblock in Anchorage," 22 Aug. 2017
Distracted, Munson slammed into the front of the police car hard enough to break an axle on her white VW Passat.

— stacey burling, chicagotribune.com, "Driving while aging: How to make parents give up the keys," 14 Aug. 2017
MOHAI is considering how to illuminate buttons, gauges and graphics, where operators monitored the devices’ 56 hydraulic thrusters, the temperature, seal integrity around the axle bearing and nozzles that sprayed soil-softening slurries.

— mike lindblom, The Seattle Times, "MOHAI takes Bertha’s control-room consoles for a future display," 4 Aug. 2017
For a big jump in wheel size, install a rear axle with a higher ratio.

— morgan kane, Popular Mechanics, "How to Make Your Own Monster Truck," 2 Aug. 2017
On Monday, subway officials said the derailment of a Q train in Brooklyn last week was caused by a maintenance failure related to wheels and an axle on a car.

— emma g. fitzsimmons, New York Times, "De Blasio Escalates Showdown With Cuomo Over Subway," 24 July 2017
What began with one of those can’t-miss teens and a road seemingly mapped rattled the axles with the potholes and treacherous shoulders the pro sports world loves to place in front of the can’t-missers.

— bryce miller, sandiegouniontribune.com, "'Legend' of Aviators' Ryan Harrison grows along with game," 13 July 2017

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.

Origin and Etymology of axle

Middle English axel- (as in axeltre)

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

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Other Automotive Terms

articulated, block, choke, clutch, diesel, neutral, transmission

AXLE Defined for English Language Learners

axle

play

noun

Definition of axle for English Language Learners

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

AXLE Defined for Kids

axle

play

noun ax·le \ ˈak-səl \

Definition of axle for Students

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

Learn More about 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

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axle

Definition of axle

Recent Examples of axle from the Web

Origin and Etymology of axle

Other Automotive Terms

AXLE Defined for English Language Learners

axle

Definition of axle for English Language Learners

AXLE Defined for Kids

axle

Definition of axle for Students

Learn More about axle

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