shaft

1 of 2

noun

ˈshaft

plural shafts ˈshaf(t)s

for sense 1b usually ˈshavz

Synonyms of shaft next

a(1)

: the long handle of a spear or similar weapon

(2)

: spear, lance

or plural shaves ˈshavz

: pole

specifically : either of two long pieces of wood between which a horse is hitched to a vehicle

c(1)

: an arrow especially for a longbow

(2)

: the body or stem of an arrow extending from the nock to the head

: a sharply delineated beam of light shining through an opening

: something suggestive of the shaft of a spear or arrow especially in long slender cylindrical form: such as

: the trunk of a tree

: the cylindrical pillar between the capital and the base

: the handle of a tool or instrument (such as a golf club)

: a commonly cylindrical bar used to support rotating pieces or to transmit power or motion by rotation

: the stem or central axis of a feather

: the upright member of a cross especially below the arms

: the cylindrical part of a long bone between the enlarged ends

: a small architectural column (as at each side of a doorway)

: a column, obelisk, or other spire-shaped or columnar monument

: a vertical or inclined opening of uniform and limited cross section made for finding or mining ore, raising water, or ventilating underground workings (as in a cave)

: the part of a hair that is visible above the surface of the skin see hair illustration

: a vertical opening or passage through the floors of a building

: a projectile thrown like a spear or shot like an arrow

: a scornful, satirical, or pithily critical remark or attack

: harsh or unfair treatment

—usually used with the

gave them the shaft

shaft

2 of 2

verb

shafted; shafting; shafts

transitive verb

: to fit with a shaft

: to treat unfairly or harshly

Example Sentences

Noun the shaft of a spear the shaft of a golf club Verb You really got shafted in that deal.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Briogeo’s formula is made with maltodextrin, which is used to lightly coat the hair shaft for instant fullness. —

Sam Peters, ELLE, 28 Feb. 2023 Two other key ingredients are sweet almond and jojoba oils, which are loaded with vitamins and minerals that further fortify the hair shaft and follicles for a stronger, fuller beard. —

Dallas News, 30 Nov. 2022 These nits hang out at the base of the hair shaft, incubating for a week or two. —

Nina Shapiro, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2022 On another occasion, a syndicate sent three excavators to reopen a shaft. —

Kimon De Greef, The New Yorker, 20 Feb. 2023 Sperry's water-resistant duck boots have a wool shaft and a microfleece lining that will keep you warm even after trekking through a puddle. —

Meaghan Kenny, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Feb. 2023 The mummy, the remains of a man named Hekashepes, was found in a sealed stone sarcophagus at the bottom of a 33-foot shaft. —

Teresa Nowakowski, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Feb. 2023 Parts of the burial grounds sit above the surface, but a shaft stretches down to an embalming room and burial chamber underground, where the jars were discovered. —

Gabrielle Nolin, NBC News, 2 Feb. 2023 Partway down a nearby shaft was an underground chamber outfitted with flat stone niches for corpses—a workshop for mummifiers. —

Byandrew Curry, science.org, 1 Feb. 2023

Verb

Parts of the mechanical systems are stashed in the base of the fins, and the passages from base to shaft to crown bristle with complexities. —

Curbed, 10 Nov. 2022 Don’t use scissors or other similar tools with cutting, slicing, or chopping action anywhere near your sack or shaft either. —

Sarah Fielding, Men's Health, 6 Dec. 2022 It is powered by a 1,351cc twin-cylinder engine and has a three-speed gearbox and shaft final drive. —

Josh Max, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2021 An update from the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union also said Kellogg’s was trying to shaft new workers by locking them into subpar benefits and taking away vacation days. —

al, 6 Oct. 2021 Fittings attempt to match things like clubhead weight and shaft flexibility to an individual golfer’s swing. —

Mike Freeman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Nov. 2020 Lind’s heart genuinely hurts for those shafted by oligarchy. —

New York Times, 17 Jan. 2020 The Coyotes always seem to get shafted by the schedule, and their gauntlet of games to open the 2019-20 season doesn't appear any different. —

Richard Morin, azcentral, 5 Oct. 2019 The unfounded hostility to that film basically killed its release and then shafted the chances of the movie and of Ryan Gosling’s contemplative performance in the awards races. —

David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Oct. 2019 See More

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

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English sceaft; akin to Old High German scaft shaft, Latin scapus shaft, stalk, Greek skēptesthai to prop oneself, lean

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of shaft was before the 12th century

See more words from the same century