gearshift

noun

gear·​shift ˈgir-ˌshift 

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

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

Word History

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

gearshift

noun

gear·​shift ˈgi(ə)r-ˌshift 

: a mechanism by which transmission gears are connected and disconnected