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HOW TO PRONOUNCE

gear

/ɡɪɚ/

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American Pronunciation Guide · 0:47
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What does gear mean?

noun

  1. Equipment or paraphernalia, especially that used for an athletic endeavor.
  2. Clothing; garments.
  3. A wheel, wheel segment, or bar with grooves (teeth) engraved on the outer circumference, such that two such devices can interlock and convey motion from one to the other.
More meanings (15)

noun

  1. A particular combination or choice of interlocking gears, such that a particular gear ratio is achieved; often selected via a shifter.
  2. A configuration of the transmission of a motor car so as to achieve a particular ratio of engine to axle torque.
  3. Ellipsis of landing gear.
  4. (slang) Recreational drugs, including steroids.
  5. (obsolete) Goods; property; household items.
  6. (archaic) Stuff.
  7. (obsolete) Business matters; affairs; concern.
  8. (obsolete) Anything worthless; nonsense; rubbish.

verb

  1. To provide with gearing; to fit with gears in order to achieve a desired gear ratio.
  2. To be in gear, come into gear.
  3. To dress; to put gear on; to harness.
  4. To design or devise (something) so as to be suitable (for a particular type of person or a particular purpose).
  5. To borrow money in order to invest it in assets.

adjective

  1. great or fantastic

proper noun

  1. A surname.

Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0

IPA pronunciation

/ɡɪɚ/

Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0

Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.

In the pages of books

See this word in context.

The bomb sight is fitted near the bomb releasing gear outside the car on the starboard side adjacent to the pilot's seat.
George WhaleBritish Airships, Past, Present, and FutureProject Gutenberg ebook #762
A single camshaft operates not only all of the inlet and exhaust valves, but the magneto and gear water pump, as well.
William J. (William James) Jackman; Octave Chanute; Thomas Herbert RussellFlying Machines: Construction and Operation A Practical Book Which Shows, in Illustrations, Working Plans and Text, How to Build and Navigate the Modern AirshipProject Gutenberg ebook #907
More book examples (3)
Double gaskets were passed round the yards, rolling tackles and other gear bowsed taut, and everything made as secure as could be.
Richard Henry DanaTwo Years Before the MastProject Gutenberg ebook #2055
He also left behind all spare gear, including dog-harness in order to reduce weight, and found the lighter sledge easier to pull.
Ernest Henry, Sir ShackletonSouth: The Story of Shackleton's Last Expedition, 1914-1917Project Gutenberg ebook #5199
Their blankets, sleeping-bag, instruments and other gear made rather heavy swags, but they shouldered them in true Murrumbidgee style and tramped away.
Douglas, Sir MawsonThe Home of the Blizzard Being the Story of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition, 1911-1914Project Gutenberg ebook #6137