steering column

American  

noun

1. the shaft that connects the steering wheel to the steering gear assembly of an automotive vehicle.

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steering column British  

noun

1. (in a motor vehicle) the shaft on which a steering wheel is mounted and by which it is connected with the steering gear

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Etymology

Origin of steering column

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

The technology pulls the driver's exhaled breath into sensors located in the driver's side door or in the dashboard and steering column, as the driver breathes normally.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 18, 2025

On a bad day for Mercedes, Hamilton's team-mate George Russell, who did make it beyond the first session, will line up 15th because hydraulic problems that required a steering column change prevented him running again.

From BBC • Jul. 1, 2023

Such a device contains a computer chip in the key that must be recognized by another chip in the steering column before the engines will start.

From Seattle Times • May 9, 2023

Both vehicles were missing a retaining bolt that keeps the wheel connected to the steering column.

From Washington Times • Mar. 8, 2023

“I’ll regret that later,” Tucker said, “when my steering column is gone.”

From "Made You Up" by Francesca Zappia