propeller shaft

American  

noun

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

2. a drive shaft.

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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

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Etymology

Origin of propeller shaft

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

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

The area near the propeller shaft was badly punched in, he said.

From Washington Post • Mar. 20, 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

Specialist website Navy Lookout has reported that the issue was caused by damage to the starboard propeller shaft although the MoD has not confirmed or commented on this.

From BBC • Aug. 29, 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