Engineering English
Gearbox
Mechatronics & Robotics · Mechanical Engineering · Energy Engineering · Last updated: July 30, 2026 · How this entry was written
Definition: A mechanical device that changes the speed, torque, and direction of rotation between a driving source and a load using a set of gears enclosed in a housing.
Example in context
“The servo motor is coupled to a planetary gearbox to increase torque for the robot arm joint.”
“Servo motor, robot kol eklemi için torku artırmak amacıyla bir planet dişli kutusuna bağlanmıştır.”
Where engineers use it
Gearboxes are critical in drive trains for robots, conveyors, and wind turbines. Engineers select gearbox ratios and types (planetary, helical, worm) to match speed/torque requirements and space constraints.
Synonyms: reducer, speed reducer, gear reducer
Antonyms: direct drive
In Mechanical Engineering
An enclosed assembly of gears and shafts that transmits mechanical power while changing the torque and rotational speed between a driving and a driven machine.
“Engineers inspected the gearbox after operators reported overheating and a noticeable drop in output torque during continuous operation.”
In Energy Engineering
A gearbox in a wind turbine increases the low rotational speed of the rotor to a higher speed needed by the generator. It is a critical drivetrain component.
“The gearbox suffered a bearing failure after 10 years of operation, requiring a costly replacement.”
Practice: can you use “Gearbox” at work?
A learner must size a gearbox for a heavy-duty linear actuator, considering input motor speed, output force, efficiency, and thermal limits under continuous duty.
Show a model answer
“The gearbox ratio must be 50:1 to achieve the required output torque.”
“Gearbox” in 21 languages
| English | Gearbox |
|---|---|
| Turkish | dişli kutusu |
| French | boîte de vitesses |
| German | Getriebe |
| Spanish | caja de engranajes |
| Chinese | 齿轮箱 |
| Arabic | علبة التروس |
| Portuguese | caixa de engrenagens |
| Russian | редуктор |
| Japanese | ギアボックス |
| Italian | riduttore |
| Vietnamese | hộp số |
| Hindi | गियरबॉक्स |
| Thai | กระปุกเกียร์ |
| Indonesian | kotak roda gigi |
| Korean | 기어박스 |
| Bengali | গিয়ারবক্স |
| Dutch | versnellingsbak |
| Swedish | växellåda |
| Finnish | vaihdelaatikko |
| Ukrainian | редуктор |
Frequently asked questions
What does Gearbox mean in engineering?
A mechanical device that changes the speed, torque, and direction of rotation between a driving source and a load using a set of gears enclosed in a housing. In Mechatronics & Robotics, the term carries a usage-frequency rating of 10/10 in the Engineering English library.
How do you pronounce Gearbox?
Gearbox is pronounced /ɡɪrbɑːks/ (IPA). The Engineering English app plays audio for the term and checks your pronunciation with speech recognition.
How is Gearbox used in a sentence?
Example from an engineering context: “The servo motor is coupled to a planetary gearbox to increase torque for the robot arm joint.”
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