plural axes
ˈak-ˌsēz 
1
a
: a straight line about which a body or a geometric figure rotates or may be supposed to rotate
the Earth's axis
b
: a straight line with respect to which a body or figure is symmetrical
the axis of a cone
called also axis of symmetry
c
: a straight line that bisects at right angles a system of parallel chords of a curve and divides the curve into two symmetrical parts
d
: one of the reference lines of a coordinate system (see coordinate entry 3 sense 1a)
2
anatomy
a
: the second vertebra of the neck on which the head and first vertebra turn as on a pivot
b
: any of various central, fundamental, or axial parts
3
botany
: a plant stem
4
crystallography
: one of several imaginary lines assumed in describing the positions of the planes by which a crystal is bounded and the positions of atoms in the structure of the crystal
5
: a main line of direction, motion, growth, or extension
the axis of a city
6
a
: an implied line in painting or sculpture through a composition to which elements in the composition are referred
fruit and flowers arranged about a diagonal axis
b
: a line actually drawn and used as the basis of measurements in an architectural or other working drawing
7
aviation
: any of three fixed lines of reference in an aircraft that run in the longitudinal, lateral, and vertical directions, are mutually perpendicular, and usually pass through the aircraft's center of gravity
8
: partnership, alliance
an axis of countries
9
: a point or continuum on which something centers
an axis of social power
: of or relating to the three powers Germany, Italy, and Japan engaged against the Allied nations in World War II
Synonyms
Examples of axis in a Sentence
Noun
the Earth's axis of rotation
the spin of the Earth on its axis
Recent Examples on the Web
Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2024
Read Next Prehistoric workshops — with axes and other stone artifacts — found in Egypt.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2024
The site contained strange artifacts—such as miniature axes and scrolls—that may have once been used in rituals.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Apr. 2024
For Northern Territory officials, Tuesday’s violence – and clashes later that night involving around 150 people armed with axes, machetes and knives – was the final straw.
—Hilary Whiteman, CNN, 29 Mar. 2024
Iran and the axis members are committed to getting the U.S. military to leave the Middle East.
—Joost Hiltermann, Foreign Affairs, 28 Mar. 2024
Other species of animals display other kinds of behavioral changes, as the weather and lighting and nature itself seem to turn on their axes.
—TIME, 25 Mar. 2024
Seasons are caused by the Earth's tilt and rotation, which is on a tilted axis of 23.5 degrees, on average.
—Emily Deletter, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2024
Precession is a natural process lasting 25,800 years that sees Earth wobble on its axis—rather like a spinning top—because of the moon’s gravitational influence.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
Georgann Yara, The Arizona Republic, 4 Apr. 2024
Many were planted by Axis propagandists, but others appear to have originated with everyday citizens, frequently arising out of their anxieties, suspicions, prejudices or simple misunderstandings.
—Greg Daugherty, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Mar. 2024
By killing high-level Iranian and Axis commanders, hitting ammunition dumps and matériel caches, and destroying Iran’s Imam Ali Military Base in eastern Syria, the U.S. can disrupt Tehran’s ability to sustain Hezbollah and Hamas, making Israeli pressure against Lebanon much more credible.
—Seth Cropsey, National Review, 10 Feb. 2024
The Axis occupation of Greece ended with Germany’s withdrawal from the country in October 1944.
—Carolyn Hagler, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Sep. 2023
One such ship is among a large group traveling from Iceland to Russian port city Murmansk, under heavy threat of Axis attack en route.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 31 Jan. 2024
The same handle ergonomics and Axis locking mechanism are replicated across knives.
—Kevin Brouillard, Travel + Leisure, 8 Jan. 2024
The North African war was being waged mostly along coastal areas, where Axis airfields and bases were strung out.
—Robert D. McFadden, New York Times, 4 Jan. 2024
This was the primary strategy the Allies employed against the Axis powers in World War II.
—Andrew F. Krepinevich, Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2023
Noun
With three separate axes and rotation speeds (completing one full turn in 300, 60 and 25 seconds), the tourbillon operates within a curved, eccentric hour-circle.
—Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2024
Read Next Prehistoric workshops — with axes and other stone artifacts — found in Egypt.
—Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2024
The site contained strange artifacts—such as miniature axes and scrolls—that may have once been used in rituals.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Apr. 2024
For Northern Territory officials, Tuesday’s violence – and clashes later that night involving around 150 people armed with axes, machetes and knives – was the final straw.
—Hilary Whiteman, CNN, 29 Mar. 2024
Iran and the axis members are committed to getting the U.S. military to leave the Middle East.
—Joost Hiltermann, Foreign Affairs, 28 Mar. 2024
Other species of animals display other kinds of behavioral changes, as the weather and lighting and nature itself seem to turn on their axes.
—TIME, 25 Mar. 2024
Seasons are caused by the Earth's tilt and rotation, which is on a tilted axis of 23.5 degrees, on average.
—Emily Deletter, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2024
Precession is a natural process lasting 25,800 years that sees Earth wobble on its axis—rather like a spinning top—because of the moon’s gravitational influence.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
Adjective
What: Axis for Autism Where: Phoenix, Avondale, Glendale, Gilbert
Employees: 135
Interesting stat: The autism spectrum disorder diagnosis and therapeutics market is projected to reach $5.03 billion in 2028, according to research and consulting firm Verified Market Research.
—Georgann Yara, The Arizona Republic, 4 Apr. 2024
Many were planted by Axis propagandists, but others appear to have originated with everyday citizens, frequently arising out of their anxieties, suspicions, prejudices or simple misunderstandings.
—Greg Daugherty, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Mar. 2024
By killing high-level Iranian and Axis commanders, hitting ammunition dumps and matériel caches, and destroying Iran’s Imam Ali Military Base in eastern Syria, the U.S. can disrupt Tehran’s ability to sustain Hezbollah and Hamas, making Israeli pressure against Lebanon much more credible.
—Seth Cropsey, National Review, 10 Feb. 2024
The Axis occupation of Greece ended with Germany’s withdrawal from the country in October 1944.
—Carolyn Hagler, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Sep. 2023
One such ship is among a large group traveling from Iceland to Russian port city Murmansk, under heavy threat of Axis attack en route.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 31 Jan. 2024
The same handle ergonomics and Axis locking mechanism are replicated across knives.
—Kevin Brouillard, Travel + Leisure, 8 Jan. 2024
The North African war was being waged mostly along coastal areas, where Axis airfields and bases were strung out.
—Robert D. McFadden, New York Times, 4 Jan. 2024
This was the primary strategy the Allies employed against the Axis powers in World War II.
—Andrew F. Krepinevich, Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'axis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near axis
Cite this Entry
“Axis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/axis. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
axis
noun
ax·is
ˈak-səs
plural axes
ˈak-ˌsēz
1
a
: a straight line about which a body or a geometric figure rotates or may be supposed to rotate
the earth's axis
b
: a straight line with respect to which a body or figure is symmetrical
called also axis of symmetry
c
: one of the reference lines of a coordinate system
2
a
: a bodily structure around which parts are arranged in a symmetrical way
b
: the main stem of a plant from which leaves and branches arise
Medical Definition
axis
noun
ax·is
ˈak-səs
plural axes
-ˌsēz
1
a
: a straight line about which a body or a geometric figure rotates or may be thought of as rotating
b
: a straight line with respect to which a body, organ, or figure is symmetrical
2
a
: the second vertebra of the neck of the higher vertebrates that is prolonged anteriorly within the foramen of the first vertebra and united with the dens which serves as a pivot for the atlas and head to turn upon
called also epistropheus
b
: any of various central, fundamental, or axial parts
the cerebrospinal axis
the skeletal axis
c
: axilla
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