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Definition of axle

axle

/ˈæk.səl/
ax · le

Plural:axles
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axle Lexical Profile

axle Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A central shaft, pin, or spindle on which a wheel or a pair of wheels revolves.

Example

"The mechanic discovered that the rear axle of the truck was bent after it hit the deep pothole."


2

A fixed bar or beam with bearings at its ends on which wheels revolve, typically used to support the weight of a vehicle.

Example

"In traditional horse-drawn wagons, the wooden axle had to be greased regularly to prevent excessive friction and wear."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for axle

Word Nuance & Usage

Often confused with 'axis', but an axle is a physical, tangible rod or spindle connecting wheels, whereas an axis is generally a mathematical or imaginary line of rotation.

• Rhymes for axle

Word Origin & Etymology

From Old Norse 'ǫxull', meaning 'axis' or 'axle', which shares Proto-Indo-European roots with the Latin 'axis' and Greek 'axon'.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Axle. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/axle
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