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noun Uncommon

gearing

Gearing (noun) means the set of gears in a machine, or the ratio between them. Example: “The bike's gearing makes hill climbs much easier.”

noun
1
The set of gears in a machine, or the ratio between them.
"The bike's gearing makes hill climbs much easier."
2
In finance, the level of debt a company carries relative to its own capital.
"Investors grew nervous about the company's high gearing."

How to use gearing

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe system of gears in machinery, or (in finance) how much a company relies on borrowed money.

UK vs US

In British financial English, "gearing" is the standard term; American English usually says "leverage" instead.

Easily confused with

Word forms

gearings plural, Gearings plural

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Test yourself on “gearing” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The bike's _____ makes hill climbs much easier.

train gear geartrain power train

Related words

Rhymes for gearing

See all rhymes for gearing →

Frequently asked questions

What does “gearing” mean?

The word “gearing” means the set of gears in a machine, or the ratio between them. In plain terms, the system of gears in machinery, or (in finance) how much a company relies on borrowed money.

How do you use “gearing” in a sentence?

Here is “gearing” used in a sentence: “The bike's gearing makes hill climbs much easier.”

What part of speech is “gearing”?

“Gearing” is a noun.

Is “gearing” a common word?

“Gearing” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “gearing” have?

“Gearing” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the set of gears in a machine, or the ratio between them.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial