Shaft Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)

Britannica Dictionary definition of SHAFT

1

[count]

:

the long, narrow part of a weapon, tool, instrument, etc.

• the shaft of a spear
• the shaft of a golf club

2

[count]

:

a bar in a machine which holds or turns other parts that move or spin

• a propeller shaft

— see also driveshaft

3

[count]

:

one of two poles between which a horse is tied to pull a vehicle (such as a carriage)

4

[count]

a

:

an opening or passage straight down through the floors of a building

• an air/elevator shaft

b

:

an opening or passage in a mine

• a mine shaft

5

[count]

formal + literary

:

a narrow beam of light

• They stood in a shaft of sunlight.

6

the shaft

US, informal

:

harsh or unfair treatment

• Her boss really gave her the shaft [=treated her unfairly] when he promoted someone less experienced instead of her.
• He got promoted and she got the shaft.

Britannica Dictionary definition of SHAFT

[+ object]

chiefly US, informal

:

to treat (someone) unfairly or harshly

• You really got shafted in that deal.