shear pin

noun

: an easily replaceable pin inserted at a critical point in a machine and designed to break when stressed to excess

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web With lawn mowers, many times people would hit something and break the shear pin. Arkansas Online, 24 Sep. 2020

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

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1931, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of shear pin was circa 1931

Dictionary Entries Near shear pin

Cite this Entry

“Shear pin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shear%20pin. Accessed 7 Jun. 2023.

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