propeller shaft

American  

noun

1. a shaft that transmits power from an engine to a propeller.

2. a drive shaft.

---

propeller shaft British  

noun

1. the shaft that transmits power from the gearbox to the differential gear in a motor vehicle or from the engine to the propeller in a ship or aircraft

---

Etymology

Origin of propeller shaft

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

In 1980, the Warrior was seized by the Spanish navy, who removed a thrust bearing from the propeller shaft and held the ship for $142,000 bail.

From Slate • Jul. 22, 2025

This powers an electric motor supplied by MagniX of Everett that turns the propeller shaft.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 2, 2023

On Feb. 12, 1942, British bombs struck the propeller shaft and boiler room of the John Mahn, a 157-foot trawler adapted for war by Germany.

From New York Times • Oct. 22, 2022

During the dayshifts they steer the ship and carry out any sailing manoeuvres, enter data into the logbook, monitor the engine and grease the propeller shaft.

From BBC • May 30, 2020

Mr. Godwin sat down, shivering, beside Grant, at the circular counter of shining ebony, and they were quickly absorbed in a conversation which dripped with such phrases as "cylinder head," "transmission," and "propeller shaft."

From Four and Twenty Beds by Vogel, Nancy