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camshaft

American  
[kam-shaft, -shahft] / ˈkæmˌʃæft, -ˌʃɑft /

noun

  1. Machinery. a shaft bearing integral cams.


camshaft British  
/ ˈkæmˌʃɑːft /

noun

  1. 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

Etymology

Origin of camshaft

First recorded in 1875–80; cam 1 ( def. ) + shaft

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Another probe covers 289,000 Dodge Journey and Jeep Compass and Patriot small SUVs from 2016 due to 127 complaints about engine stalling due to crankshaft or camshaft sensor problems.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 26, 2022

The opening and closing of the valves that let air into the cylinder and exhaust gases out used to be regulated by a mechanical device operated by the engine’s camshaft.

From Economist • Dec. 10, 2015

It is all done with the use of electro-hydraulic controls of the inlet valves, in place of a camshaft.

From BBC • May 20, 2012

Many engines now have overhead camshafts with hydraulic camshaft actuators fed by electronic solenoids that depend on oil pressure to operate properly.

From New York Times • Sep. 16, 2010

Wierzbicki reams a bearing and Stephanides grinds a bearing and O’Malley attaches a bearing to a camshaft.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides

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