Illustration of gear
- G gear 6a(2)
2
: equipment, paraphernalia
fishing gear
3
a
: the rigging of a ship or boat
b
: the harness especially of horses
4
dialectal, chiefly British
: absurd talk : nonsense
5
dialectal, chiefly British
: doings
6
a(1)
: a mechanism that performs a specific function in a complete machine
steering gear
(2)
: a toothed wheel
(3)
: working relation, position, order, or adjustment
got her career in gear
(4)
: a level or pace of functioning
kicked their performance into high gear
b
: one of two or more adjustments of a transmission (as of a bicycle or motor vehicle) that determine mechanical advantage, relative speed, and direction of travel
geared; gearing; gears
1
a
: to provide (machinery) with gearing (see gearing sense 2)
b
: to connect by gearing (see gearing sense 1)
2
a
: to make ready for effective operation
b
: to adjust so as to match, blend with, or satisfy something
gearing wages to productivity
1
a
British, of machinery
: to be in gear : mesh
b
: shift sense 1c
gear down
2
: to become adjusted so as to match, blend, or harmonize
The industry is geared to meet growing consumer demand.
Examples of gear in a Sentence
Noun
I somehow managed to pack all my gear into one suitcase.
soldiers in full combat gear
a complicated arrangement of gears and shafts
a car with four forward gears
Halfway up the hill, my bike slipped out of gear.
Recent Examples on the Web
Marina Johnson, IndyStar, 15 Nov. 2025
My household has had good fortune with the National Geographic geology labs that are commonplace in big-box stores, including the build-your-own-volcano set ($15) and the crystal-growing gear, like this glow-in-the-dark number ($37).
—Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 15 Nov. 2025
Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Nov. 2025
Cons $6 monthly fee Learn More View More The Wyndham Rewards® Debit Card is another debit card offering travel rewards, but geared towards providing value via the thousands of Hotels by Wyndham.
—Ryley Amond, CNBC, 15 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gear
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Noun
Additionally, expect deep discounts on apparel (especially winter gear and holiday party attire), mattresses and home goods and decor.
—Marina Johnson, IndyStar, 15 Nov. 2025
My household has had good fortune with the National Geographic geology labs that are commonplace in big-box stores, including the build-your-own-volcano set ($15) and the crystal-growing gear, like this glow-in-the-dark number ($37).
—Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 15 Nov. 2025
Verb
Originally, the policy would have allowed for alcohol at special events as well as at baseball and softball tournaments geared toward adults and children aged 13 and up.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Nov. 2025
Cons $6 monthly fee Learn More View More The Wyndham Rewards® Debit Card is another debit card offering travel rewards, but geared towards providing value via the thousands of Hotels by Wyndham.
—Ryley Amond, CNBC, 15 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gear
Cite this Entry
“Gear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gear. Accessed 19 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
gear
1 of 2 noun1
: equipment sense 2
camping gear
electronic gear
2
a
: a mechanism that performs a specific function in a machine
steering gear
b
: a toothed wheel : cogwheel
3
a
: working order, relation, or adjustment
got her career in gear
b
: one of the adjustments of a transmission (as of a bicycle or motor vehicle) that determine the direction of travel and the relative speed of the engine and the vehicle
gear
2 of 2 verb1
: to provide or connect with gearing
2
: to prepare for operation
gear up for production
3
: to make suitable
a book geared for children
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