shaft

1 of 2

noun

ˈshaft 

plural shafts ˈshaf(t)s 

for sense 1b usually

ˈshavz 

1

a(1)

: the long handle of a spear or similar weapon

(2)

: spear, lance

b

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

2

: a sharply delineated beam of light shining through an opening

3

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

a

: the trunk of a tree

b

: the cylindrical pillar between the capital and the base

c

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

d

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

e

: the stem or central axis of a feather

f

: the upright member of a cross especially below the arms

g

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

h

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

i

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

j

: 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)

k

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

l

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

4

a

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

b

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

c

: harsh or unfair treatment

—usually used with the

gave them the shaft

shaft

2 of 2

verb

shafted; shafting; shafts

transitive verb

1

: to fit with a shaft

2

: to treat unfairly or harshly

Synonyms

Noun

• beam
• ray

Examples of shaft in a Sentence

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

The Fire Department also responded to the call and said that the woman fell at least 50 feet down a shaft at a hydroelectric plant. —Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Apr. 2025

Archaeologists investigated and realized the newfound shaft was just part of a larger structure, most likely built as an escape tunnel during WWI. —Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2025

Verb

Her undeniable talents were also shafted following her performance in 2022's Till, and once again the Academy's acting branch didn't lift her up and into the Best Supporting Actress category for her performance in Netflix's adaptation of August Wilson's The Piano Lesson. —Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 23 Jan. 2025

That took a dramatic shift when Johnson shafted the Raiders for the Chicago Bears earlier in the week. —Vincent Frank, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025

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

Phrases Containing shaft

• butt shaft
• gave her the shaft
• got the shaft
• shaft horsepower
• the shaft

Rhymes for shaft

• aft
• chaffed
• craft
• daft
• draft
• draught
• graft
• graphed
• haft
• kraft
• laughed
• raft

Kids Definition

shaft

noun

ˈshaft

plural shafts

ˈshaf(t)s,

 in sense 1c also  ˈshavz

1

a

: the long handle of a weapon (as a spear)

b

: spear entry 1 sense 1, lance

c

or plural shaves

ˈshavz

: pole entry 1 sense 1

especially : one of two poles between which a horse is hitched to pull a vehicle

d

: an arrow especially for a longbow

2

: a narrow beam of light

3

: something suggestive of the shaft of an arrow or spear

the shaft or trunk of a tree

4

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

5

: a tall monument (as a column)

6

: an opening or passage straight down through the floors of a building

an air shaft

7

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

8

: a mine opening for finding or mining ore

9

: the midrib of a feather

10

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

Medical Definition

shaft

noun

ˈshaft 

plural shafts ˈshaf(t)s 

: a long slender cylindrical body or part: as

a

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

b

: hair shaft