gear

1 of 2

noun

1
b
: movable property : goods
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
gearless adjective

Illustration of gear

Illustration of gear
  • G gear 6a(2)

gear

2 of 2

verb

geared; gearing; gears

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
With discounts on women’s apparel from versatile workout gear to breezy sundresses and comfy intimates, these deals are too good to miss. Caitlyn Martyn May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 8 July 2025 Best Athleta Deals Athleta never fails me during a sweat sesh, but its sale section is always loaded with much more than just workout gear. Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2025
Verb
All five companies' rockets are currently gearing their efforts toward the small satellite launch market. ArsTechnica, 9 July 2025 The United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, geared toward fostering international cooperation in space, has been meeting annually since 1959. Dan Falk, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for gear

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English gere, from Old Norse gervi, gǫrvi; akin to Old English gearwe equipment, clothing, gearu ready — more at yare

Verb

derivative of gear entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1851, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of gear was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gear. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

gear

1 of 2 noun
1
: 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
gearless adjective

gear

2 of 2 verb
1
: to provide or connect with gearing
2
: to prepare for operation
gear up for production
3
: to make suitable
a book geared for children

More from Merriam-Webster on gear

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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