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

On turning the wheel and axle, the 1 kilogramme-weight, let us say, sinks two metres, while the 2 kilogramme-weight rises one metre.

From Project Gutenberg