plural axes
ˈak-ˌsēz 
1
a
: a straight line about which a body or a geometric figure rotates or may be supposed to rotate
the Earth's axis
b
: a straight line with respect to which a body or figure is symmetrical
the axis of a cone
called also axis of symmetry
c
: a straight line that bisects at right angles a system of parallel chords of a curve and divides the curve into two symmetrical parts
d
: one of the reference lines of a coordinate system (see coordinate entry 3 sense 1a)
2
anatomy
a
: the second vertebra of the neck on which the head and first vertebra turn as on a pivot
b
: any of various central, fundamental, or axial parts
3
botany
: a plant stem
4
crystallography
: one of several imaginary lines assumed in describing the positions of the planes by which a crystal is bounded and the positions of atoms in the structure of the crystal
5
: a main line of direction, motion, growth, or extension
the axis of a city
6
a
: an implied line in painting or sculpture through a composition to which elements in the composition are referred
fruit and flowers arranged about a diagonal axis
b
: a line actually drawn and used as the basis of measurements in an architectural or other working drawing
7
aviation
: any of three fixed lines of reference in an aircraft that run in the longitudinal, lateral, and vertical directions, are mutually perpendicular, and usually pass through the aircraft's center of gravity
8
: partnership, alliance
an axis of countries
9
: a point or continuum on which something centers
an axis of social power
: of or relating to the three powers Germany, Italy, and Japan engaged against the Allied nations in World War II
Synonyms
Examples of axis in a Sentence
Noun
the Earth's axis of rotation
the spin of the Earth on its axis
Recent Examples on the Web
Renad Mansour, Foreign Affairs, 13 Nov. 2024
These extra axes of rotation allow the knee to bend with a more anatomically correct gliding motion.
—Jothy Rosenberg, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024
George Yang, Rolling Stone, 30 Oct. 2024
The agency, among its many worries, feared that the Axis powers were at work on biological weapons that would use rats as vectors.
—Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for axis 
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Noun
Iran retained a pivotal role in setting the axis’s strategic direction.
—Renad Mansour, Foreign Affairs, 13 Nov. 2024
These extra axes of rotation allow the knee to bend with a more anatomically correct gliding motion.
—Jothy Rosenberg, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024
Adjective
The story details are still minimal outside of what’s been shown in trailers and short previews, but the game will once again see Dr. Jones chasing a relic desired by the Axis powers in the 1930s.
—George Yang, Rolling Stone, 30 Oct. 2024
The agency, among its many worries, feared that the Axis powers were at work on biological weapons that would use rats as vectors.
—Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for axis
Dictionary Entries Near axis
Cite this Entry
“Axis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/axis. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
axis
noun
ax·is
ˈak-səs
plural axes
ˈak-ˌsēz
1
a
: a straight line about which a body or a geometric figure rotates or may be supposed to rotate
the earth's axis
b
: a straight line with respect to which a body or figure is symmetrical
called also axis of symmetry
c
: one of the reference lines of a coordinate system
2
a
: a bodily structure around which parts are arranged in a symmetrical way
b
: the main stem of a plant from which leaves and branches arise
Medical Definition
axis
noun
ax·is
ˈak-səs
plural axes
-ˌsēz
1
a
: a straight line about which a body or a geometric figure rotates or may be thought of as rotating
b
: a straight line with respect to which a body, organ, or figure is symmetrical
2
a
: the second vertebra of the neck of the higher vertebrates that is prolonged anteriorly within the foramen of the first vertebra and united with the dens which serves as a pivot for the atlas and head to turn upon
called also epistropheus
b
: any of various central, fundamental, or axial parts
the cerebrospinal axis
the skeletal axis
c
: axilla
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