[countable] a part, as a disk, wheel, or other device, having teeth of such form, size, and spacing that they mesh with teeth in another part to carry or receive force and motion.
[countable] an assembly of such parts:a car's reverse gear.
a range of speed governed by such machinery: [uncountable]shifted to high gear.[countable]shifted to a lower gear.
apparatus used for a particular purpose:[uncountable]fishing gear.
portable items of personal property, including clothing:[uncountable]dressed in our hiking gear.
v.
to adjust or adapt to a particular situation in order to bring about satisfactory or suitable results:[~ + object + to]geared their output to consumer demands.
gear up, [no object]
to get ready for a future event:They were gearing up for the wedding reception.
to put on gear for a particular purpose:The hikers geared up for the expedition.
to become excited:We were all geared up for the big party.
Idioms
Idiomsin or into high gear, in or into a state of the highest speed and efficiency:went into high gear in an effort to finish.
Idiomsin gear:
Mechanical Engineeringin the state in which gears are connected or meshed:The car is in gear.
in proper working order:The office is in gear and working smoothly.
Idiomsout of gear, in the state in which gears are not connected or meshed:The engine is out of gear.
Idiomsshift or switch gears, to alter or change one's strategy or thinking in a significant way.
a part, as a disk, wheel, or section of a shaft, having cut teeth of such form, size, and spacing that they mesh with teeth in another part to transmit or receive force and motion.
an assembly of such parts.
one of several possible arrangements of such parts in a mechanism, as an automobile transmission, for affording different relations of torque and speed between the driving and the driven machinery, or for permitting the driven machinery to run in either direction:first gear; reverse gear.
a mechanism or group of parts performing one function or serving one purpose in a complex machine:steering gear.
implements, tools, or apparatus, esp. as used for a particular occupation or activity; paraphernalia:fishing gear.
a harness, esp. of horses.
[Naut.]
the lines, tackles, etc., of a particular sail or spar.
the personal tools, clothing, and other possessions of a sailor.
portable items of personal property, including clothing; possessions:The campers keep all their gear in footlockers.
wearing apparel; clothing:The fashion pages of the Sunday paper are featuring the latest fall gear.
armor or arms.
Idiomsin gear:
Mechanical Engineering[Mach.]in the state in which gears are connected or meshed:The car is in gear.
in proper or active working order; functioning continuously without trouble:Every department in this company must be in gear at all times.
Idiomsin or into high gear, in or into a state of utmost speed, activity, or efficiency:Military rearmament moved into high gear.
out of gear, [Mach.]in the state in which gears are not connected or meshed:The engine is out of gear.
Idiomsshift or switch gears, to change one's attitude, course of action, methods, etc., in an abrupt, dramatic, or unexpected manner:In the middle of the second act the play shifts gears from comedy to tragedy.
v.t.
to provide with or connect by gearing.
to put in or into gear.
to provide with gear; supply; equip.
to prepare, adjust, or adapt to a particular situation, person, etc., in order to bring about satisfactory results:The producers geared their output to seasonal demands.
v.i.
to fit exactly, as one part of gearing into another; come into or be in gear.
gear down:
[Auto.]to shift the transmission of a vehicle to a lower gear:The truck driver geared down at the top of the hill.
to reduce in scope or intensity:With less income you'll have to gear down your spending habits.
gear up:
to make or get ready for a future event or situation:Insiders say the senator is gearing up to run for governor.
to get or put on equipment or clothing for a particular purpose:The hikers geared up for the long trek down the mountain.
to arouse or excite, as with enthusiasm or expectation:The employees were geared up for a hard battle with management over working hours.
adj.
[Slang.]great; wonderful.
Old Norse gervi, gørvi; akin to Old English gearwe equipment