gear

[geer]

noun

1. Machinery.

   1. a part, as a disk, wheel, or section of a shaft, having cut teeth of such form, size, and spacing that they mesh with teeth in another part to transmit or receive force and motion.

   2. an assembly of such parts.

   3. one of several possible arrangements of such parts in a mechanism, as an automobile transmission, for affording different relations of torque and speed between the driving and the driven machinery, or for permitting the driven machinery to run in either direction.

      first gear;

      reverse gear.

   4. a mechanism or group of parts performing one function or serving one purpose in a complex machine.

      steering gear.

2. implements, tools, or apparatus, especially as used for a particular occupation or activity; paraphernalia.

   fishing gear.

   Synonyms: rig, tackle, outfit, equipment

3. a harness, especially of horses.

4. Nautical.

   1. the lines, tackles, etc., of a particular sail or spar.

   2. the personal tools, clothing, and other possessions of a sailor.

5. portable items of personal property, including clothing; possessions.

   The campers keep all their gear in footlockers.

6. wearing apparel; clothing.

   The fashion pages of the Sunday paper are featuring the latest fall gear.

7. armor or arms.

verb (used with object)

1. to provide with or connect by gearing.

2. to put in or into gear.

3. to provide with gear; supply; equip.

4. to prepare, adjust, or adapt to a particular situation, person, etc., in order to bring about satisfactory results.

   The producers geared their output to seasonal demands.

verb (used without object)

1. to fit exactly, as one part of gearing into another; come into or be in gear.

adjective

1. Slang.,  great; wonderful.

verb phrase

1. gear up

   1. to make or get ready for a future event or situation.

      Insiders say the senator is gearing up to run for governor.

   2. to get or put on equipment or clothing for a particular purpose.

      The hikers geared up for the long trek down the mountain.

   3. to arouse or excite, as with enthusiasm or expectation.

      The employees were geared up for a hard battle with management over working hours.

2. gear down

   1. Automotive.,  to shift the transmission of a vehicle to a lower gear.

      The truck driver geared down at the top of the hill.

   2. to reduce in scope or intensity.

      With less income you'll have to gear down your spending habits.

gear

/ ɡɪə /

noun

1. a toothed wheel that engages with another toothed wheel or with a rack in order to change the speed or direction of transmitted motion

2. a mechanism for transmitting motion by gears, esp for a specific purpose

   the steering gear of a boat

3. the engagement or specific ratio of a system of gears

   in gear

   high gear

4. personal equipment and accoutrements; belongings

5. equipment and supplies for a particular operation, sport, etc

   fishing gear

6. nautical all equipment or appurtenances belonging to a certain vessel, sailor, etc

7. short for landing gear

8. informal,  up-to-date clothes and accessories, esp those bought by young people

9. slang

   1. stolen goods

   2. illegal drugs

10. a less common word for harness

11. working or performing effectively or properly

12. out of order; not functioning properly

verb

1. (tr) to adjust or adapt (one thing) so as to fit in or work with another

   to gear our output to current demand

2. (tr) to equip with or connect by gears

3. (intr) to be in or come into gear

4. (tr) to equip with harness

gear

1. A wheel with teeth around its rim that mesh with the teeth of another wheel to transmit motion. Gears are used to transmit power (as in a car transmission) or change the direction of motion in a mechanism (as in a differential axle). Fixed ratios of speed in various parts of a machine is often established by the arrangement of gears.

Other Word Forms

• gearless adjective
• regear verb
• ungeared adjective
• well-geared adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gear¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English gere, from Old Norse gervi, gørvi; akin to Old English gearwe “equipment”

Word History and Origins

Origin of gear¹

C13: from Old Norse gervi; related to Old High German garawī equipment, Old English gearwe

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in / into high gear, in or into a state of utmost speed, activity, or efficiency: null ininto top gear

   With cold and flu season in high gear, it's time to perfect your chicken soup recipe.

   Military rearmament moved into high gear.

2. shift / switch gears, to change one's attitude, course of action, methods, etc., in an abrupt, dramatic, or unexpected manner.

   In the middle of the second act the play shifts gears from comedy to tragedy.

3. out of gear, in the state in which gears are not connected or meshed.

   The engine is out of gear.

4. in gear,

   1. Machinery. in the state in which gears are connected or meshed.

      The car is in gear.

   2. in proper or active working order; functioning continuously without trouble.

      Every department in this company must be in gear at all times.

see high gear; slip a cog (gear).

Example Sentences

"I was told to go out and play a certain way, be ultra-aggressive and start in fifth gear, similar to T20," he said.

From BBC

To obtain a full driving licence for Great Britain a driver must pass their test in a car with manual gears.

From BBC

"South Sudan is filled with so many armed groups, they're all seeming to be gearing up for military engagement."

From BBC

If it’s late in the season and you just can’t be bothered with another round of cooking, packing, and hauling gear to the lot, don’t worry!

From Salon

Four wins from four in the Premier League and they haven't even nearly hit top gear yet.

From BBC

Related Words

• accessory 
• apparatus 
• harness 
• instrument 
• kit 
• luggage 
• machinery 
• material 
• paraphernalia 
• stuff 
• supply