derailleur

noun

de·rail·leur | \ di-ˈrā-lər

How to pronounce derailleur (audio)

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Definition of derailleur

: a mechanism for shifting gears on a bicycle that operates by moving the chain from one set of exposed gears to another

Examples of derailleur in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web If braking and shifting require lots of hand force, or if the derailleur is slow to shift the gears, that means there’s drag (dirt) inside the housings, so those and the cables need replacing. — Joe Lindsey, Outside Online, "Maintenance That Will Prep Your Bike for Spring," 29 Mar. 2021 In the main area, dozens of men and women assemble the bikes -– each with a specialized job, like looping the chain around the derailleur, or threading brake cables. — Jenny Leonard, Bloomberg.com, "Only Robots Can Bring Factories Back to U.S., Says Bike Pioneer," 31 Oct. 2020 What Archer offers is an add-on kit that affixes to your bike just ahead of the rear mech, turning any 1x (no front derailleur) cable-actuated system into one that shifts electronically, using a small motor in a control housing. — Lou Mazzante, Popular Mechanics, "All the New Tech That Will Transform Outdoor Gear in 2020," 14 Feb. 2020 This reduces weight and complication by eliminating a shifter, chainring and derailleur. — Popular Mechanics Editors, Popular Mechanics, "The Best Road Bikes for Every Cyclist," 8 May 2019 The 8-speed flat-bar shifter is easy to operate, and the rear derailleur offers precise-enough shifts. — Popular Mechanics Editors, Popular Mechanics, "The Best Road Bikes for Every Cyclist," 8 May 2019 If the cables are adjusted properly, the derailleur that moves the chain between gears would be lined up perfectly on one of them. — John Timmer, Ars Technica, "How bicycles have changed in the last 25 years," 10 Nov. 2018 The village spent $1,300 to purchase a Fixit, which includes all the tools necessary to perform basic bike repairs and maintenance, such as fixing a flat tire to adjusting brakes and derailleur gears, along with a heavy-duty air pump. — Chuck Fieldman, chicagotribune.com, "Clarendon Hills to put bicycle repair station at Metra stop," 9 Jan. 2018 Superstar Peter Sagan stayed upright, but his chain jammed into his front derailleur and needed servicing. — Blair Anthony Robertson, sacbee.com, "Local cyclist is “U.S. handyman” for European pro team," 11 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'derailleur.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

2 Apr 2021

Cite this Entry

“Derailleur.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/derailleur. Accessed 11 Apr. 2021.

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More Definitions for derailleur

derailleur

noun

English Language Learners Definition of derailleur

: a part on a bicycle that is used to change gears by moving the chain from one gear to another one

See the full definition for derailleur in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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