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gear

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noun British English pronunciation: gear /ɡɪə(r)/ 
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singulargear
pluralgears
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  1. 1
    [countable/uncountable] the part of an engine that changes engine power into movement. Most cars in the UK have 5 or 6 gears that you operate yourself
    change gear:

    Helen changed gear as she approached the junction.

    first/second etc gear:

    At forty miles an hour you should be in fourth gear.

    low/high gear:

    Always use a low gear when driving down a steep hill.

    grind/crash the gears (=make a noise when changing gear because you do not do it correctly):

    You'll ruin the gearbox if you keep grinding the gears like that.

    in gear (=with one of the gears connected so that the power of the engine will make the wheels move):

    The car won't move unless you're in gear.

    out of gear (=with no gears connected):

    Take the car out of gear.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of gear
  2. 2
    [uncountable] the special clothes and equipment that you use for a particular activity

    Don't forget to bring walking gear.

    We took down the tent and packed all the gear away.

    police dressed in riot gear

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of gear
  3. 3
    [uncountable] a machine or part of a machine that does a particular job

    Firefighters with heavy lifting gear battled to free the survivors from the wreckage.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of gear

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