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

That battery is paired with a more powerful 214-hp, three in one drive unit on the front axle. —Sam Abuelsamid, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025

The front axle now entirely disconnects at 160 mph (257 kph) rather than 150 mph (241 kph) for the E-Ray, yet the ZR1X's low-drag aero package should still hit the same 233 mph (375 km/h) top speed that the ZR1 achieved at Papenburg, Germany, last year. —Michael Teo Van Runkle, ArsTechnica, 17 June 2025

Even being practical , she’s often stuck up to the axle on her way to something edible . —A.o. Scott, New York Times, 13 June 2025

Instead of focusing on the panels, axles, and bearings of a car, NIO first looks at the high-voltage architecture—batteries, power train, and so on—followed by the low-voltage, like digital compute. —Charlie Campbell, Time, 29 May 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