gearshift

noun

gear·​shift ˈgir-ˌshift How to pronounce gearshift (audio)
variants or gear shift
plural gearshifts or gear shifts
1
: a mechanism by which the transmission gears in a power-transmission system are engaged and disengaged
also : a lever for controlling such a mechanism
2
: the functioning of a gearshift mechanism : the act or an instance of shifting gears
A new, eight-speed automatic transmission makes gear shifts based in part on g-forces that the car encounters during spirited driving.Ann M. Job

Examples of gearshift in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Sport ups the agility and connectedness, with sharper throttle response and faster gearshifts. Jason Barlow, WIRED, 6 Oct. 2024 Disable the vehicle by chocking the wheels, placing the gearshift in park and removing the ignition key and/or disconnecting the 12V battery. Kate Gibson, CBS News, 9 Oct. 2024 But Manz will spec a true gearshift lever to match the transfer-case shifter in classic style, and specific build preferences can drop the use of carbon fiber altogether. Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 8 May 2024 In 1989, Nigel Mansell won the Brazilian Grand Prix racing in a F1-89, a car equipped with the first electrohydraulic gearshift on the steering wheel. Washington Post, 11 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for gearshift 

Word History

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of gearshift was in 1899

Dictionary Entries Near gearshift

Cite this Entry

“Gearshift.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gearshift. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

gearshift

noun
gear·​shift ˈgi(ə)r-ˌshift How to pronounce gearshift (audio)
: a mechanism by which transmission gears are connected and disconnected

More from Merriam-Webster on gearshift

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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