gearing

Pluralgearings (some meanings)

1. 1
   noununcountable

   A set of toothed wheels that work together to pass movement from one part to another.

   Like a row of linked wheels where turning one wheel turns the next.

   The clock's gearing turned the hands at just the right speed.

   Old mills used heavy wooden gearing to power their grinding stones.

   Similarmechanism, transmission

   Note
2. 2
   nouncountable or uncountable

   How much the speed or force changes as movement passes through a set of gears.

   Like the easy and hard settings on a bike: one is simple to pedal, the other goes fast.

   A lower gearing makes the bike easier to pedal up hills.

   The car's gearing lets it reach high speeds on the freeway.

   Similarratio

   Note
3. 3
   verb

   Present participle of gear. Use this form for an action happening now.

   The team is gearing up for the championship match.

   She spent the week gearing her shop toward holiday shoppers.

   Note
4. 4
   noununcountable

   The amount of borrowed money a company uses compared with the money its owners put in.

   Like buying a house mostly with a loan instead of with your own savings.

   High gearing means the company has borrowed a lot of money.

   Investors worried about the firm's rising gearing.

   Similarleverage

   Note
5. 5
   noununcountable

   The straps, tackle, and tools that a working animal or person uses for a job.

   Like all the straps and tools a horse needs to pull a cart.

   The plowman laid out the gearing before hitching the oxen.

   The farmer hung the horse's gearing on a hook in the barn.

   Similarharness, tackle, equipment

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