Archimedes' screw

noun

Ar·​chi·​me·​des' screw ˌär-kə-ˈmē-dēz- How to pronounce Archimedes' screw (audio)
: a device made of a tube bent spirally around an axis or of a broad-threaded screw encased by a cylinder and used to raise water

Illustration of Archimedes' screw

Illustration of archimedes' screw

Word History

Etymology

Archimedes

First Known Use

1653, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Archimedes' screw was in 1653

Dictionary Entries Near Archimedes' screw

Cite this Entry

“Archimedes' screw.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Archimedes%27%20screw. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!