shaft

1 of 2

noun

plural shafts ˈshaf(t)s How to pronounce shaft (audio)
 for sense 1b usually  ˈshavz
1
a(1)
: the long handle of a spear or similar weapon
(2)
b
or plural shaves ˈshavz How to pronounce shaft (audio) : 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

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
Between each vine, a 4-foot-wide skylight will allow shafts of light to flood the terminal below. Olivia Morelli, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Feb. 2024 The project is planned as an underground mine, with the company accessing minerals from private lands and eventually extending shafts below adjacent federal lands on the Coronado National Forest. Brandon Loomis, The Arizona Republic, 15 Feb. 2024 Then, between 10 million and 15 million years ago, acidic rainwater began dissolving the limestone-rich ground to form the earliest shafts of the Mammoth Cave network, making the ancient rock beds accessible. Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Feb. 2024 Complete with a breathable upper shaft and rubber outsole, the sneakers are comfortable enough to wear for miles. Amy Schulman, Peoplemag, 9 Jan. 2024 Off one tunnel shaft was a cage made with metal bars and a door that locked from the outside. NBC News, 8 Feb. 2024 Some residual mineral extraction happened during World War II and limped into the 1960s when lingering deposits of copper, gold and lead were pulled from tailings and open shafts. Mare Czinar, The Arizona Republic, 26 Jan. 2024 The teenage sanitation employee at the Mar-Jac Poultry processing plant died on July 14, 2023, after getting caught in a rotating shaft in the facility's deboning area, according to the agency. Kate Gibson, CBS News, 16 Jan. 2024 They are accused of shipping meth to be sold in Australia and New Zealand hidden in spools of 3D printing filament, utility cases, wine opener sets, drive shafts and other items, prosecutors said. Don Sweeney, Sacramento Bee, 8 Feb. 2024
Verb
The most high-profile example of foreign investors being shafted involves a joint venture headed by Sirwan Barzani - nephew of the former President of Kurdistan, Masoud Barzani, and cousin to the current President, Nechirvan Barzani. Melik Kaylan, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024 Gotta say Marcus Rutherford is really getting shafted this season. Alex Raiman, EW.com, 29 Sep. 2023 When Thursday's Bachelor in Paradise kicked off, Olivia Lewis still felt shafted by Will Urena forgoing on a date with Kylee Russell. Dana Rose Falcone, Peoplemag, 6 Oct. 2023 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

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'shaft.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near shaft

Cite this Entry

“Shaft.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shaft. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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)
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
plural shafts ˈshaf(t)s How to pronounce shaft (audio)
: a long slender cylindrical body or part: as
a
: the cylindrical part of a long bone between the enlarged ends

More from Merriam-Webster on shaft

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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