crankshaft

noun

crank·​shaft ˈkraŋk-ˌshaft 

1

: a shaft driven by or driving a crank

2

: a shaft consisting of a series of cranks and crankpins to which the connecting rods of an engine are attached

Examples of crankshaft in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For instance, its castings are different, and the crankshaft's throw is 2 mm greater to make for the 680cc capacity. —New Atlas, 23 Dec. 2024

While both variants of the Type 35 featured a three-valve, overhead-camshaft straight-eight engine, the 35A’s power plant used a simpler, ball-bearing crankshaft (with three rather than five bearings) and smaller valves in a mill that delivered 70 hp as opposed to the racer’s 90 hp. —Howard Walker, Robb Report, 2 Dec. 2024

Andretti claimed a top-10 Indy finish in Foyt’s No. 33 Ford before traveling to Charlotte, where a faulty crankshaft relegated him to 36th place. —Michael Marot, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 May 2024

Porsche's patent shows the crankshaft spinning within a ring on planetary gears, meaning as the crankshaft rotates, the pistons have two entirely different top-dead-center positions as well as two different bottom-dead-center positions. —New Atlas, 19 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

crankshaft

noun

crank·​shaft -ˌshaft 

: a shaft turning or driven by a crank or made up of a series of cranks