universal joint

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noun Machinery.

a coupling between rotating shafts set at an angle to one another, allowing for rotation in three planes.

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Also called universal, universal coupling.

Origin of universal joint

First recorded in 1670–80

Words nearby universal joint

universalism, universalist, universality, universalizability, universalize, universal joint, universal language, universal life insurance, universally, universal military training, universal mill

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use universal joint in a sentence

Was there something linked to something a little more universal as far as experiences are concerned?
Patton Oswalt on Fighting Conservatives With Satire|William O’Connor|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
I went to his joint once, back when I was first hanging out in New York, doing plays.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile|Robert Ward|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
On the northern side of the Joint Security Area between North and South Korea, there is a village called Kijong-dong (기정동).
Propaganda, Protest, and Poisonous Vipers: The Cinema War in Korea|Rich Goldstein|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“I care about what the universal sense of the film is,” she says.
Brie Larson’s Hollywood Transformation|Marlow Stern|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The courage of this husband and father is a constant reminder of how much some sacrifice for exercising universal rights.
Behind Bars for the Holidays: 11 Political Prisoners We Want to See Free In 2015|Movements.Org|December 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Vine is a universal favorite, and rarely out of view; while it often seems to cover half the ground in sight.
Glances at Europe|Horace Greeley
“Well, mistakes is humant,” sighed Sol, taking advantage of that universal absolution.
The Bondboy|George W. (George Washington) Ogden
The universal ignorance of the working class broke down the aspiring force of genius.
The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice|Stephen Leacock
It stands very much in the way of that universal adult education which is our present concern.
The Salvaging Of Civilisation|H. G. (Herbert George) Wells
Wheat gives place to Rye about the same time, and the Potato, at first comparatively rare, becomes universal.
Glances at Europe|Horace Greeley

British Dictionary definitions for universal joint

universal joint

universal coupling

noun

a form of coupling between two rotating shafts allowing freedom of angular movement in all directions

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