propeller shaft

American  

noun

1. a shaft that transmits power from an engine to a propeller.

2. a drive shaft.

---

propeller shaft British  

noun

1. the shaft that transmits power from the gearbox to the differential gear in a motor vehicle or from the engine to the propeller in a ship or aircraft

---

Etymology

Origin of propeller shaft

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

propeller shaft

In 1980, the Warrior was seized by the Spanish navy, who removed a thrust bearing from the propeller shaft and held the ship for $142,000 bail.

From Slate ● Jul. 22, 2025

In a message on X, the Royal Navy said routine checks before sailing found an issue with a coupling on HMS Queen Elizabeth's starboard propeller shaft.

From BBC ● Feb. 4, 2024

This powers an electric motor supplied by MagniX of Everett that turns the propeller shaft.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 2, 2023

On Feb. 12, 1942, British bombs struck the propeller shaft and boiler room of the John Mahn, a 157-foot trawler adapted for war by Germany.

From New York Times ● Oct. 22, 2022

A stern tube is a sleeve enveloping the aft end of the propeller shaft to protect it from the sea water, which would corrode it.

From Modern Machine-Shop Practice, Volumes I and II by Rose, Joshua