axle

noun

ax·​le ˈak-səl 

1

a

: a pin or shaft on or with which a wheel or pair of wheels revolves

b(1)

: a fixed bar or beam with bearings at its ends on which wheels (as of a cart) revolve

(2)

: the spindle of such a beam

2

archaic : axis

Examples of axle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The electric motor lives on one side of the axle and applies torque to a powered sun gear at the other side. —Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 28 May 2026

Front-wheel-drive hybrid models use two electric motor-generators, while all-wheel-drive models add a third motor — a 54-horsepower rear e-axle — to power the rear wheels. —Karl Brauer, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026

The front axle of the SUV was ripped off, and the engine was ejected. —Sofia Saric may 27, Miami Herald, 27 May 2026

The Luce uses a precision accelerometer at the center of the rear axle to capture the natural frequencies of the rotating components, the company said. —Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 26 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English axil, probably independent use of axil- in axeltre, axiltre axletree

Note: This word effectively replaced rare Middle English axe "axle," descended from Old English eax—see axis.

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing axle

• wheel and axle

Rhymes for axle

• docetaxel
• paclitaxel
• transaxle

Kids Definition

axle

noun

ax·​le ˈak-səl 

: a pin, pole, or bar on or with which a wheel revolves