gearing

[ geer-ing ]

/ ˈgɪər ɪŋ /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR gearing ON THESAURUS.COM

noun Machinery.

an assembly of parts, especially a train of gears, for transmitting and modifying motion and torque in a machine.

the act or process of equipping with gears.

the method of installation of such gears.

Nearby words

Origin of gearing

First recorded in 1815–25; gear + -ing¹

Definition for gearing (2 of 2)

gear

[ geer ]

/ gɪər /

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.

Origin of gear

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

SYNONYMS FOR gear

2 equipment, outfit, tackle, rig.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR gear ON THESAURUS.COM

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

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

Examples from the Web for gearing

Now, Roberts and her small team are gearing up to launch their next full production line since the first one came out last year.
Look Who’s Wearing The Pants: Haute Butch’s Gender-Blending Style|Nina Strochlic|October 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And that's because just the timing worked on what was sort of gearing up.
Fear of a Minority Superhero: Marvel's Obsession with White Guys Saving the World|Marlow Stern|August 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The former Taliban prisoner is gearing up for the investigation into his disappearance and abduction in Afghanistan.
Bowe Bergdahl Thanks Obama for ‘Saving His Life’|Josh Rogin|July 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Despite a disappointing ruling in the Fifth Circuit on Thursday, the pro-choice movement is only gearing up for battle.
Pro-Choice Texas Will Not Back Down|Emily Shire|March 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Inside the Obama administration, officials are gearing up for an economic Cold War.
White House Braces for Russian Retaliation Over Ukraine|Josh Rogin|March 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The speed of the machine, for the purpose of adjustment, using the gearing attached to the upper head, is 10 in.
Transactions of the American Society of Civil Engineers, vol. LXX, Dec. 1910|Herbert M. Wilson
Farm implements, gearing carts, etc., are all of a style and differ very little from those used centuries ago.
The Story of the Cotton Plant|Frederick Wilkinson
Lifting that part of the gearing, there was revealed a spot as large as the hand of a twelve-year-old child, all raw and bleeding.
White Dandy; or, Master and I|Velma Caldwell Melville
The cylinder was but three-and-a-half inches in diameter, and the wheels were moved by gearing.
Railway Adventures and Anecdotes|Various
The main frame-work containing the gearing was suspended on two wheels about three feet four inches in diameter.
Obed Hussey|Various

British Dictionary definitions for gearing (1 of 2)

gearing

/ (ˈɡɪərɪŋ) /

noun

an assembly of gears designed to transmit motion

the act or technique of providing gears to transmit motion

Also called: capital gearing accounting, British the ratio of a company's debt capital to its equity capitalUS word: leverage

British Dictionary definitions for gearing (2 of 2)

gear

/ (ɡɪə) /

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 gearing (1 of 2)

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.

Word Origin and History for gearing (1 of 2)

gear

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

Science definitions for gearing

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 gearing

gear

see high gear; slip a cog (gear).

gearing

noun Machinery.

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RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of gearing

Definition for gearing (2 of 2)

gear

noun

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

adjective

Verb Phrases

Origin of gear

Examples from the Web for gearing

British Dictionary definitions for gearing (1 of 2)

gearing

noun

British Dictionary definitions for gearing (2 of 2)

gear

noun

verb

Word Origin for gear

Word Origin and History for gearing (1 of 2)

gear

Word Origin and History for gearing (1 of 2)

gear

Science definitions for gearing

gear

Idioms and Phrases with gearing

gear