axle

Everyday

An axle is a rod or bar that goes through the centre of a wheel, or joins two wheels, so the wheels can turn. tree →

In the lessons

In science and technology lessons, pupils learn about wheels and axles as a simple machine that makes moving loads easier; they build model cars with straws as axles. Bikes, cars, trains, carts and skateboards have axles. Phrases: wheel and axle, front axle, back axle.

Examples

• The wheels of the toy car turn on a thin metal axle. tree →
• A wheel and axle is a simple machine. tree →
• We used a straw and a skewer to make an axle. tree →
• The cart broke because its wooden axle snapped. tree →
• A car has a front axle and a rear axle. tree →
• Oil the axle so the wheels turn smoothly. tree →

Note

Countable: axles. Homophone trap: «axle» sounds like «axel», a jump in figure skating. Do not confuse with «axis», an imaginary line something spins around (like the Earth's axis).

In Jewish tradition

In Kings it means the rod on which the wheels of the Temple's bronze stands turned.

Interpretation. These were part of the carts that held the basins in Solomon's Temple. Tradition reads them as showing the great care and skill put into the Temple.

Examples

• And every base had four brazen wheels, and axles of brass; and the four feet thereof had undersetters; beneath the laver were the undersetters molten, with wreaths at the side of each. (Prophets 1KI.7.30, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable: axles. Homophone trap: «axle» sounds like «axel», a jump in figure skating. Do not confuse with «axis», an imaginary line something spins around (like the Earth's axis).