plural shafts
ˈshaf(t)s 
for sense 1b usually ˈshavz
1
c(1)
: an arrow especially for a longbow
(2)
: the body or stem of an arrow extending from the nock to the head
2
: a sharply delineated beam of light shining through an opening
3
: something suggestive of the shaft of a spear or arrow especially in long slender cylindrical form: such as
a
: the trunk of a tree
b
: the cylindrical pillar between the capital and the base
c
: the handle of a tool or instrument (such as a golf club)
d
: a commonly cylindrical bar used to support rotating pieces or to transmit power or motion by rotation
e
: the stem or central axis of a feather
f
: the upright member of a cross especially below the arms
g
: the cylindrical part of a long bone between the enlarged ends
h
: a small architectural column (as at each side of a doorway)
i
: a column, obelisk, or other spire-shaped or columnar monument
j
: a vertical or inclined opening of uniform and limited cross section made for finding or mining ore, raising water, or ventilating underground workings (as in a cave)
k
: the part of a hair that is visible above the surface of the skin see hair illustration
l
: a vertical opening or passage through the floors of a building
4
a
: a projectile thrown like a spear or shot like an arrow
b
: a scornful, satirical, or pithily critical remark or attack
c
: harsh or unfair treatment
—usually used with the
gave them the shaft
shafted; shafting; shafts
Synonyms
Examples of shaft in a Sentence
Noun
the shaft of a spear
the shaft of a golf club
Verb
You really got shafted in that deal.
Recent Examples on the Web
Sophia Panych, Allure, 2 Apr. 2024
The problem lies with the connection between metal shafts that connect the engine and transmission to the wheels, according to the NHTSA report.
—Samantha Delouya, CNN, 29 Mar. 2024
Six of those cases were confirmed to have damaged or worn out intermediate shafts.
—William Gavin, Quartz, 29 Mar. 2024
The researchers uncovered a stack of spears with shafts over 10 feet (3 meters) long at the site, and many experts think that warfare was common in the time period.
—Katie Hunt, CNN, 20 Mar. 2024
Resolution also hosted Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes on a mine tour in October, which also included a ride down the 7,000-foot main shaft.
—The Arizona Republic, 29 Feb. 2024
Duvan had been cleaning equipment when he was pulled into the rotating shaft of a machine and sustained fatal injuries, according to OSHA.
—Lici Beveridge, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2024
Just for starters, plumbing gets ripped out and replaced, elevator shafts get fresh machinery, façades get reclad, landscapes replanted.
—Curbed, 9 Jan. 2024
Between each vine, a 4-foot-wide skylight will allow shafts of light to flood the terminal below.
—Olivia Morelli, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Feb. 2024
Melik Kaylan, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024
Gotta say Marcus Rutherford is really getting shafted this season.
—Alex Raiman, EW.com, 29 Sep. 2023
When Thursday's Bachelor in Paradise kicked off, Olivia Lewis still felt shafted by Will Urena forgoing on a date with Kylee Russell.
—Dana Rose Falcone, Peoplemag, 6 Oct. 2023
Parts of the mechanical systems are stashed in the base of the fins, and the passages from base to shaft to crown bristle with complexities.
—Curbed, 10 Nov. 2022
Don’t use scissors or other similar tools with cutting, slicing, or chopping action anywhere near your sack or shaft either.
—Sarah Fielding, Men's Health, 6 Dec. 2022
It is powered by a 1,351cc twin-cylinder engine and has a three-speed gearbox and shaft final drive.
—Josh Max, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2021
An update from the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union also said Kellogg’s was trying to shaft new workers by locking them into subpar benefits and taking away vacation days.
—al, 6 Oct. 2021
Fittings attempt to match things like clubhead weight and shaft flexibility to an individual golfer’s swing.
—Mike Freeman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Nov. 2020
Noun
According to the pros, the main issue with hard water comes down to the buildup of mineral deposits on and in your hair, and the leftover product that can’t be fully washed out, both of which leave behind a residue on the hair shaft.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 2 Apr. 2024
The problem lies with the connection between metal shafts that connect the engine and transmission to the wheels, according to the NHTSA report.
—Samantha Delouya, CNN, 29 Mar. 2024
Six of those cases were confirmed to have damaged or worn out intermediate shafts.
—William Gavin, Quartz, 29 Mar. 2024
The researchers uncovered a stack of spears with shafts over 10 feet (3 meters) long at the site, and many experts think that warfare was common in the time period.
—Katie Hunt, CNN, 20 Mar. 2024
Resolution also hosted Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes on a mine tour in October, which also included a ride down the 7,000-foot main shaft.
—The Arizona Republic, 29 Feb. 2024
Duvan had been cleaning equipment when he was pulled into the rotating shaft of a machine and sustained fatal injuries, according to OSHA.
—Lici Beveridge, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2024
Just for starters, plumbing gets ripped out and replaced, elevator shafts get fresh machinery, façades get reclad, landscapes replanted.
—Curbed, 9 Jan. 2024
Between each vine, a 4-foot-wide skylight will allow shafts of light to flood the terminal below.
—Olivia Morelli, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Feb. 2024
Verb
The most high-profile example of foreign investors being shafted involves a joint venture headed by Sirwan Barzani - nephew of the former President of Kurdistan, Masoud Barzani, and cousin to the current President, Nechirvan Barzani.
—Melik Kaylan, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024
Gotta say Marcus Rutherford is really getting shafted this season.
—Alex Raiman, EW.com, 29 Sep. 2023
When Thursday's Bachelor in Paradise kicked off, Olivia Lewis still felt shafted by Will Urena forgoing on a date with Kylee Russell.
—Dana Rose Falcone, Peoplemag, 6 Oct. 2023
Parts of the mechanical systems are stashed in the base of the fins, and the passages from base to shaft to crown bristle with complexities.
—Curbed, 10 Nov. 2022
Don’t use scissors or other similar tools with cutting, slicing, or chopping action anywhere near your sack or shaft either.
—Sarah Fielding, Men's Health, 6 Dec. 2022
It is powered by a 1,351cc twin-cylinder engine and has a three-speed gearbox and shaft final drive.
—Josh Max, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2021
An update from the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union also said Kellogg’s was trying to shaft new workers by locking them into subpar benefits and taking away vacation days.
—al, 6 Oct. 2021
Fittings attempt to match things like clubhead weight and shaft flexibility to an individual golfer’s swing.
—Mike Freeman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Nov. 2020
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'shaft.' 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 shaft
Cite this Entry
“Shaft.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shaft. Accessed 20 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
shaft
noun
plural shafts
ˈshaf(t)s
: a long slender cylindrical body or part: as
a
: the cylindrical part of a long bone between the enlarged ends
b
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