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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:

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

Harris said that even if a recording showed Castile grabbing his wallet or grabbing a gearshift, that might not necessarily have swayed the trial’s outcome.

From Washington Post ● Jun. 20, 2017

Beto stood between the dash and the gearshift holding a small black Bible.

From "Out of Darkness" by Ashley Hope Pérez

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

Originally created for Olympic cyclists and now available to recreational riders, these faster, lighter vehicles incorporate such features as composite- fiber frames, three-spoke wheels, hydraulic brakes and automatic gearshifts.

From Time Magazine Archive

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

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan

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