gear

[geer]

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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR gear ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

Machinery.

a part, as a disk, wheel, or section of a shaft, having cut teeth of such form, size, and spacing that they mesh with teeth in another part to transmit or receive force and motion.
an assembly of such parts.
one of several possible arrangements of such parts in a mechanism, as an automobile transmission, for affording different relations of torque and speed between the driving and the driven machinery, or for permitting the driven machinery to run in either direction: first gear; reverse gear.
a mechanism or group of parts performing one function or serving one purpose in a complex machine: steering gear.

implements, tools, or apparatus, especially as used for a particular occupation or activity; paraphernalia: fishing gear.

a harness, especially of horses.

Nautical.

the lines, tackles, etc., of a particular sail or spar.
the personal tools, clothing, and other possessions of a sailor.

portable items of personal property, including clothing; possessions: The campers keep all their gear in footlockers.

wearing apparel; clothing: The fashion pages of the Sunday paper are featuring the latest fall gear.

armor or arms.

verb (used with object)

to provide with or connect by gearing.

to put in or into gear.

to provide with gear; supply; equip.

to prepare, adjust, or adapt to a particular situation, person, etc., in order to bring about satisfactory results: The producers geared their output to seasonal demands.

verb (used without object)

to fit exactly, as one part of gearing into another; come into or be in gear.

adjective

Slang. great; wonderful.

Verb Phrases

gear down,

Automotive.to shift the transmission of a vehicle to a lower gear: The truck driver geared down at the top of the hill.
to reduce in scope or intensity: With less income you'll have to gear down your spending habits.

gear up,

to make or get ready for a future event or situation: Insiders say the senator is gearing up to run for governor.
to get or put on equipment or clothing for a particular purpose: The hikers geared up for the long trek down the mountain.
to arouse or excite, as with enthusiasm or expectation: The employees were geared up for a hard battle with management over working hours.

Idioms

in gear,

Machinery.in the state in which gears are connected or meshed: The car is in gear.
in proper or active working order; functioning continuously without trouble: Every department in this company must be in gear at all times.

in/into high gear, in or into a state of utmost speed, activity, or efficiency: Military rearmament moved into high gear.

out of gear, Machinery. in the state in which gears are not connected or meshed: The engine is out of gear.

shift/switch gears, to change one's attitude, course of action, methods, etc., in an abrupt, dramatic, or unexpected manner: In the middle of the second act the play shifts gears from comedy to tragedy.

Origin of gear

1150–1200; Middle English gere < Old Norse gervi, gørvi; akin to Old English gearwe equipment

Related formsgear·less, adjectivere·gear, verbun·geared, adjectivewell-geared, adjective

Synonyms for gear

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR gear ON THESAURUS.COM

2. equipment, outfit, tackle, rig.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for gear

supply, material, apparatus, paraphernalia, luggage, kit, instrument, harness, machinery, stuff, accessory, apparel, dress, garb, costume, attire, organize, fit, tailor, adjust

Examples from the Web for gear

Contemporary Examples of gear

Our driver glances at us in the rearview mirror and nods before dropping the faded red Toyota Hilux into first gear.
Heart of Darkness: Into Afghanistan’s Taliban Valley
Matt Trevithick, Daniel Seckman
November 15, 2014
The fragile peace in Ukraine is being threatened by an influx of gear and armed men.
Thousands of Putin’s Troops Now in Ukraine, Analysts Say
Shane Harris
November 11, 2014
But much of that gear went missing from the warehouse before the Kiev unit ever saw action.
Corruption Eats Away at Ukraine Military
Charles McPhedran
October 21, 2014
A visit to your local pig farm now requires nearly as much preparation and gear as entering a CDC biocontainment zone.
Aporkalypse Now: Pig-Killing Virus Could Mean the End of Bacon
Carrie Arnold
August 20, 2014
Corey Feldman used to show up in full Michael Jackson gear and dance in the middle of the dancefloor.
Jenny Lewis on 'The Voyager,' the End of Rilo Kiley, and High School Classmate Angelina Jolie
Marlow Stern
August 17, 2014

Historical Examples of gear

Their own thinking was so muddled, their views of life so out of gear.
The Harbor
Ernest Poole
"Wait until I throw in the other gear," he added to his cronies in a low voice.
Tom Swift and his Electric Runabout
Victor Appleton
But as the gear was out, turning on the electric current had a different effect.
Tom Swift and his Electric Runabout
Victor Appleton
A small pinion or gear is mounted upon the armature-shaft of the motor.
Boys' Book of Model Boats
Raymond Francis Yates
Then, throwing the gear into forward, Ken gave her full speed.
Under Arctic Ice
H.G. Winter

British Dictionary definitions for gear

gear

noun

a toothed wheel that engages with another toothed wheel or with a rack in order to change the speed or direction of transmitted motion

a mechanism for transmitting motion by gears, esp for a specific purposethe steering gear of a boat

the engagement or specific ratio of a system of gearsin gear; high gear

personal equipment and accoutrements; belongings

equipment and supplies for a particular operation, sport, etcfishing gear

nautical all equipment or appurtenances belonging to a certain vessel, sailor, etc

short for landing gear

informal up-to-date clothes and accessories, esp those bought by young people

slang

stolen goods
illegal drugs

a less common word for harness (def. 1)

in gear working or performing effectively or properly

out of gear out of order; not functioning properly

verb

(tr) to adjust or adapt (one thing) so as to fit in or work with anotherto gear our output to current demand

(tr) to equip with or connect by gears

(intr) to be in or come into gear

(tr) to equip with harness

Derived Formsgearless, adjective

Word Origin for gear

C13: from Old Norse gervi; related to Old High German garawī equipment, Old English gearwe

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

Word Origin and History for gear

c.1200, "fighting equipment," probably from Old Norse gervi "apparel," related to gerr "ready," and gerva "make ready," from Proto-Germanic *garwin- (cf. Old English gearwe "clothing, equipment, ornament;" Old High German garawi "clothing, dress," garawen "to make ready;" German gerben "to tan"). Meaning "toothed wheel in machinery" first attested 1520s. Slang for "male sex organs" from 1670s. British adjective slang sense of "stylish, excellent" first recorded 1951, from earlier that's the gear, expression of approval, 1925.

c.1200, "to equip oneself for fighting; dress," probably from gear (n.). Related: Geared; gearing.

gear in Science

gear

[gîr]

A wheel with teeth around its rim that mesh with the teeth of another wheel to transmit motion. Gears are used to transmit power (as in a car transmission) or change the direction of motion in a mechanism (as in a differential axle). Fixed ratios of speed in various parts of a machine is often established by the arrangement of gears.

Idioms and Phrases with gear

gear

see high gear; slip a cog (gear).