camshaft

[ kam-shaft, -shahft ]

/ ˈkæmˌʃæft, -ˌʃɑft /

Save This Word!

noun

Machinery. a shaft bearing integral cams.

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

who

whom

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of camshaft

First recorded in 1875–80; cam¹ + shaft

Words nearby camshaft

campylobacter, CAMRA, Cam Ranh, Cam Ranh Bay, Camrose, camshaft, Camus, cam wheel, camwood, can, Cana

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use camshaft in a sentence

The cam-shaft is hollow, and serves as a channel for the conveyance of lubricating oil to each of the camshaft bearings.
A History of Aeronautics|E. Charles Vivian
The camshaft and magneto were driven by the crankshaft through a three-member train of spur gears (see Figures 9, 10 and 11).
The Wright Brothers' Engines and Their Design|Leonard S. Hobbs.
Now I quite understand; you said 'unquestionably', Captain Camshaft.
The Dreadnought of the Air|Percy F. Westerman
A single camshaft operates not only all of the inlet and exhaust valves, but the magneto and gear water pump, as well.
Flying Machines|W.J. Jackman and Thos. H. Russell

The overhead camshaft Boulevard is still another form of aviation motor which has been favorably received.
Flying Machines|W.J. Jackman and Thos. H. Russell

British Dictionary definitions for camshaft

camshaft

/ (ˈkæmˌʃɑːft) /

noun

a shaft having one or more cams attached to it, esp one used to operate the valves of an internal-combustion engine

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012