driveshaft

noun

drive·​shaft ˈdrīv-ˌshaft How to pronounce driveshaft (audio)
: a shaft that transmits mechanical power

Examples of driveshaft in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The SUVs may experience issues with the intermediate shaft and right front driveshaft failing to fully engage because of assembly issues, according to Kia. William Gavin, Quartz, 29 Mar. 2024 According to Kia, impacted vehicles may experience issues with the intermediate shaft and right front driveshaft failing to engage due to assembly errors. USA TODAY, 28 Mar. 2024 So instead, the CV joint, driveshaft, and reduction gear all move into a new unit mounted in the wheel. Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 1 Dec. 2023 Thanks to smaller grille openings and flatter underbodies (no driveshafts or tailpipes to worry about) BEV bodies tend to have lower drag coefficients and slip through the air with less effort. Robin Warner, Ars Technica, 5 Dec. 2023 View Photos To handle the Demon 170's monumental power, Dodge fortified the driveline, making the driveshaft 30 percent stronger and the rear axle housing 53 percent stronger. Eric Stafford, Car and Driver, 20 Mar. 2023 The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says in documents posted Friday on its website that the rear axle horizontal mounting bolt can fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect, increasing the risk of a crash. CBS News, 13 Oct. 2023 The clutch in turn twists an aluminum-and-ceramic-matrix driveshaft. Csaba Csere, Car and Driver, 7 Sep. 2023 Under the strain of such speed, the U-joint that connected the driveshaft to the wheel broke off, partly buckling the frame and narrowly missing hitting bits of its rider as broken parts whipped around near Curtiss’ feet. Elana Scherr, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'driveshaft.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1860, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of driveshaft was in 1860

Dictionary Entries Near driveshaft

Cite this Entry

“Driveshaft.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/driveshaft. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

drive shaft

noun
: a shaft that transmits mechanical power
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!