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

That includes, shafts, drives, sensors, connectors, and the cooling system. —J. George Gorant, Robb Report, 17 Apr. 2024

The military said the damage to the emergency and surgery departments was so great because the gunmen had entrenched themselves inside those buildings, one of them inside an elevator shaft, forcing the Israeli commandos to fire repeatedly at their positions. —Patrick Kingsley Avishag Shaar-Yashuv, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2024

Another 35 pieces were domestic tools: digging sticks, pointed tools for piercing or working hides, and shafts that likely served as handles for axes or stone blades. —Byandrew Curry, science.org, 1 Apr. 2024

Rescuers were trying to reach the miners through a ventilation shaft. —Stephen Sorace, Fox News, 19 Mar. 2024

Seek out Natural Pinhole Projections In the same way that your pinhole projector forms an image of the crescent sun on paper, natural pinholes can be found throughout nature — often in shafts of light created by tree leaves. —Daniel Johnson, Discover Magazine, 14 Mar. 2024

By comparison, Types 3 and 5 labrets had shorter, more bulbous shafts — better-suited for lip wear. —Mindy Weisberger, CNN, 11 Mar. 2024

After several minutes of walking through a narrow, dark shaft, the tunnel opened into a wider space. —NBC News, 8 Feb. 2024

According to the pros, the main issue with hard water comes down to the buildup of mineral deposits on and in your hair, and the leftover product that can’t be fully washed out, both of which leave behind a residue on the hair shaft. —Sophia Panych, Allure, 2 Apr. 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

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

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