reverse gear
noun
: a part (called a gear) that makes a motor move a vehicle in a backward direction
The tractor does not have a reverse gear.
Put the car in/into reverse gear.
—sometimes used figurativelyThe economy seems to be stuck in reverse gear.
Examples of reverse gear in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Interestingly, there's also a reverse gear to facilitate maneuvering the electric scooter and regenerative braking technology that transforms braking effort into electrical energy to help extend battery charge.
—
New Atlas, 7 Feb. 2025
The battery’s state of charge is always sufficient to start the engine and to operate the electric reverse gear.
—Jason Barlow, WIRED, 6 Oct. 2024
According to a sales brochure Volkswagen received with the vehicle itself, the T1 car is powered by a four-stroke petrol boxer engine and four-speed manual transmission with reverse gear.
—New Atlas, 31 July 2024
Activated when reverse gear is engaged, rear cross-traffic alert and autobraking systems typically use radar or ultrasonic sensors mounted on the rear bumper to keep an electric eye on the areas to the rear right and left of the vehicle.
—Jim Gorzelany, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024
But a new report issued by the AAA determined that drivers shouldn’t rely 100% on the technology’s effectiveness, and rather maintain a high level of diligence while operating in reverse gear, especially if their cross-traffic visibility is otherwise obscured.
—Jim Gorzelany, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024
The electric motor also serves as the V12’s starter, and provides the Revuelto’s reverse function, eliminating the need for a reverse gear in the transmission.
—Dan Carney, Popular Science, 3 Apr. 2023
Unlike the 8-speed gearbox as used in the SF90 Stradale, which has no mechanical reverse and uses the front electric motors for reversing, Roma Coupé and Spider both have a mechanical reverse gear.
—Mark Ewing, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2023
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New Atlas, 7 Feb. 2025
The battery’s state of charge is always sufficient to start the engine and to operate the electric reverse gear.
—Jason Barlow, WIRED, 6 Oct. 2024
According to a sales brochure Volkswagen received with the vehicle itself, the T1 car is powered by a four-stroke petrol boxer engine and four-speed manual transmission with reverse gear.
—New Atlas, 31 July 2024
Activated when reverse gear is engaged, rear cross-traffic alert and autobraking systems typically use radar or ultrasonic sensors mounted on the rear bumper to keep an electric eye on the areas to the rear right and left of the vehicle.
—Jim Gorzelany, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024
But a new report issued by the AAA determined that drivers shouldn’t rely 100% on the technology’s effectiveness, and rather maintain a high level of diligence while operating in reverse gear, especially if their cross-traffic visibility is otherwise obscured.
—Jim Gorzelany, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024
The electric motor also serves as the V12’s starter, and provides the Revuelto’s reverse function, eliminating the need for a reverse gear in the transmission.
—Dan Carney, Popular Science, 3 Apr. 2023
Unlike the 8-speed gearbox as used in the SF90 Stradale, which has no mechanical reverse and uses the front electric motors for reversing, Roma Coupé and Spider both have a mechanical reverse gear.
—Mark Ewing, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Reverse gear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reverse%20gear. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
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