noun🔗ShareA 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."The bicycle's freewheel uses a pawl that clicks as you coast, preventing the pedals from turning backward when you stop pedaling. "machinetechnicaldevicepartfunctionChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
noun🔗ShareA similar device to prevent motion in other mechanisms besides ratchets."The emergency brake in the old car used a pawl to keep the wheels from rolling backward down the hill. "devicemachineparttechnicalChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verb🔗ShareTo stop with a pawl."He carefully pawled the winch, preventing the rope from slipping further down. "machinetechnicaldevicepartactionChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
