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

Thanks to its dual-axle setup, the UH18 has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 7,000 lb (3,175 kg) and can carry a total payload of 4,500 lb (2,040 kg). —New Atlas, 19 Oct. 2025

The parade saw the debut of the massive Hwasong-20, with at least three of them wheeled out on 11-axle launcher trucks. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2025

That model features a three-axle, six-wheel drive system. —Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025

This includes parts like engines and axles, raw materials and labor costs. —Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 7 Oct. 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