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pawl

/pɑl/

Meanings
noun
A pivoted catch designed to fall into a notch on a ratchet wheel so as to allow movement in only one direction (e.g. on a windlass or in a clock mechanism), or alternatively to move the wheel in one direction.

Examples :

"The bicycle's freewheel uses a pawl that clicks as you coast, preventing the pedals from turning backward when you stop pedaling. "
machine technical device part function

Related Words

Illustration emergency

emergency noun

/ɪˈmɝ.dʒən.si/

A situation which poses an immediate risk and which requires urgent attention.

"Cardiac arrest is an emergency and if you find someone in cardiac arrest you should call 999 immediately."

Illustration windlass

windlass noun

/ˈwɪnd.ləs/

Any of various forms of winch, in which a rope or cable is wound around a cylinder, used for lifting heavy weights

"The sailors used the windlass to raise the heavy anchor. "

Illustration alternatively

alternatively adverb

/ɔːlˈtɜːnətɪvli/ /ælˈtɜːnətɪvli/

In an alternative way

"I don't have any oranges. Alternatively, I can get you some apples. "

Illustration preventing

preventing verb

/pɹɪˈvɛntɪŋ/

To stop (an outcome); to keep from (doing something).

"I brush my teeth regularly to prevent them from turning yellow."

Illustration carefully

carefully adverb

/ˈkɛːfli/ /ˈkɛɹfli/

Sorrowfully.

"He listened carefully to his mother's concerns, feeling sorrowful about her disappointment. "

Illustration movement

movement noun

/ˈmuːv.mənt/

Physical motion between points in space.

"I saw a movement in that grass on the hill."

Illustration direction

direction noun

/d(a)ɪˈɹɛk.ʃən/

A theoretical line (physically or mentally) followed from a point of origin or towards a destination. May be relative (e.g. up, left, outbound, dorsal), geographical (e.g. north), rotational (e.g. clockwise), or with respect to an object or location (e.g. toward Boston).

"Keep going in the same direction."

Illustration designed

designed verb

/dɪˈzaɪnd/

To plan and carry out (a picture, work of art, construction etc.).

"The students designed posters for the school fair. "

Illustration backward

backward noun

/ˈbæk.wə(ɹ)d/ /ˈbækwɚd/

The state behind or past.

"Looking backward, I realize I should have studied more for the test. "

Illustration mechanism

mechanism noun

/ˈmɛkənɪzm/

(within a machine or machinery) Any mechanical means for the conversion or control of motion, or the transmission or control of power.

"The bicycle's gears are a complex mechanism that converts the rider's pedaling motion into forward movement. "

Illustration freewheel

freewheel noun

/ˈfriːˌwiːl/ /ˈfriːˌhwil/

A device in a transmission that disengages the driveshaft from the driven shaft when the driven shaft rotates faster than the driveshaft.

"When the cyclist stopped pedaling, the bicycle's freewheel allowed the wheels to continue spinning without the pedals turning. "

Illustration mechanisms

mechanisms noun

/ˈmekənɪzəmz/ /ˈmekənɪsm̩z/

(within a machine or machinery) Any mechanical means for the conversion or control of motion, or the transmission or control of power.

"The bicycle's braking mechanisms allow the rider to safely slow down and stop. "