Word
gear
Meanings
equipment or clothing needed for a particular activity
a toothed wheel or set of toothed wheels in a machine that transmit motion
a setting on a vehicle or bicycle that controls speed and power
Definition
Gear most commonly refers to the equipment or clothing you need for a particular activity.
Gear can mean the equipment, tools, or clothing used for a specific activity, such as camping or sports. It can also refer to the parts of a machine, especially toothed wheels that transmit motion. In addition, gear is used for the different speed settings in a vehicle or bicycle.
Examples
- Before the storm hit, I checked my gear and repacked the essentials to keep everything dry.
- She borrowed her brother’s climbing gear, but she replaced every item she damaged on the trip.
- They upgraded their studio gear so they could record cleaner vocals without constant background noise.
- When the engine started to struggle uphill, he dropped to a lower gear and kept a steady pace.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse gear (equipment) with clothing in general; gear usually refers to specialized items for an activity, not everyday clothes.
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