wheel and axle

American  

noun

1. a simple machine consisting, in its typical form, of a cylindrical drum to which a wheel concentric with the drum is firmly fastened: ropes are so applied that as one unwinds from the wheel, another rope is wound on to the drum.

---

wheel and axle British  

noun

1. a simple machine for raising weights in which a rope unwinding from a wheel is wound onto a cylindrical drum or shaft coaxial with or joined to the wheel to provide mechanical advantage

---

Etymology

Origin of wheel and axle

First recorded in 1765–75

Example Sentences

A molecular rotor consists of a central rotating molecule that is connected by axis molecules to stationary stator molecules, similar to the way that a wheel and axle are connected to a car frame.

From Science Daily

“Future investigative activity will focus on failure analysis of the subject wheelsets and on industry-wide standards and practices for railcar wheel and axle assembly processes, specifications, and quality control,” the safety board said Monday.

From Seattle Times

You can attach your rubber band to a simple machine—a wheel and axle—to build a simple rubber band–powered car.

From Scientific American

The titles are "six so-called mechanical powers – the lever, wedge, wheel and axle, pulley, screw and inclined plane".

From The Guardian

So long as this is so, the wheel and axle will not move of itself.

From Project Gutenberg