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Synonyms

gearing

American  
[geer-ing] / ˈgɪər ɪŋ /

noun

Machinery.

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

  2. the act or process of equipping with gears.

  3. the method of installation of such gears.

gearing British  
/ ˈɡɪərɪŋ /

noun

  1. an assembly of gears designed to transmit motion

  2. the act or technique of providing gears to transmit motion

  3. US word: leverage.  Also called: capital gearing.  accounting the ratio of a company's debt capital to its equity capital

"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 gearing

First recorded in 1815–25; gear + -ing 1

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.

England cricket all-rounder Freya Kemp, who is gearing up for this summer's home T20 World Cup, was keen to ask for advice - much to Muir's surprise.

From BBC • May 9, 2026

Aiming to capitalize on the enthusiasm, a handful of companies went public in early 2026, while others are gearing up to make their trading debuts.

From Barron's • Apr. 27, 2026

Both sides are gearing up for an expensive fight.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026

Bezos’ rocket company Blue Origin is meanwhile gearing up for the next launch of its massive New Glenn rocket, set to carry a commercial payload for the first time.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

“It’s been a long day. This morning I thought I was being deported. I’ve been gearing myself up for that for two months. Now it looks like I’ll get to stay.”

From "The Sun Is Also a Star" by Nicola Yoon

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.