noun
Uncommon
axle
AK-suhl
Axle (noun) means the rod or shaft that a wheel turns on, or that turns together with a pair of wheels. Example: “The truck snapped its rear axle after hitting the pothole.”
noun
1
The rod or shaft that a wheel turns on, or that turns together with a pair of wheels.
"The truck snapped its rear axle after hitting the pothole."
"Mechanics greased the front axle before the long drive."
How to use axle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe bar that a wheel spins around.
Common pairings
front axle
rear axle
broken axle
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Word forms
- Plural
- axles
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The truck snapped its rear _____ after hitting the pothole.
Etymology
From Old English eaxl, originally meaning "shoulder", related to Latin axis and German Achsel ("armpit") — the idea of a joint that things pivot on.
Frequently asked questions
What does “axle” mean?
The word “axle” means the rod or shaft that a wheel turns on, or that turns together with a pair of wheels. In plain terms, the bar that a wheel spins around.
How do you pronounce “axle”?
“Axle” is pronounced AK-suhl (/ˈæksəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “axle” in a sentence?
Here is “axle” used in a sentence: “The truck snapped its rear axle after hitting the pothole.”
What part of speech is “axle”?
“Axle” is a noun.
Where does the word “axle” come from?
The word “axle” comes from Latin. From Old English eaxl, originally meaning "shoulder", related to Latin axis and German Achsel ("armpit") — the idea of a joint that things pivot on.
Is “axle” a common word?
“Axle” is an uncommon word in modern English.
