Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Showing results for gearshift. Search instead for gear_shift.

gearshift

American  
[geer-shift] / ˈgɪərˌʃɪft /

noun

  • gearshifts
    plural
  1. shift lever.

  2. a device for selecting, engaging, and disengaging gears for a system for the transmission of power, especially in a motor vehicle.


Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms


Etymology

Origin of gearshift

An Americanism dating back to 1925–30; gear + shift


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.

See Examples For:

Should the primary screen become disabled, a secondary gearshift selector hiding in the headliner will illuminate.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 22, 2026

The effect of the molecular gearshift could be fine-tuned by adjusting the size and structure of the stationary molecule attached to the gear molecule.

From Science Daily ● Jan. 19, 2024

The government hopes the prospect of cheaper running costs will create a gearshift in the minds of other drivers of the ubiquitous boda-bodas, most of whom still use petrol or diesel.

From BBC ● Jan. 6, 2024

Some of the complaints say the gearshift indicator shows that the vans are in park, but they were able to roll away.

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 6, 2021

There’s no gearshift inside the guardhouse, but I’m hoping Ma knows how to put it in reverse.

From "Dragons in a Bag" by Zetta Elliott

In Tour drive mode, automatic gearshifts are heard more than felt.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 18, 2025

It was clear the Dutchman would face no threat unless he ran into trouble and the Red Bull ran faultlessly, apart from some complaints from its driver about slow gearshifts.

From BBC ● Mar. 5, 2023

Thus, the transmission is without the synchronizers that smooth gearshifts in modern manual transmissions, so operating it requires practice and skill.

From New York Times ● Nov. 18, 2021

And every other automaker pays homage to the T-bird trend by offering even in compact models such pizazz features as instrument consoles, bucket seats, and floor-mounted gearshifts.

From Time Magazine Archive

They leaned in different directions like gearshifts on a race car.

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

Get a word

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Just like flashcards, but way more fun

Don't take our word for it. Leave the boring studying behind and join VocabTrainer today. You'll learn even faster and never look back.

Take me to Vocabulary.com