Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun An engine shaft fitted with a cam or cams.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A shaft with cams or wipers used to lift the pestles of stamping-mills.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun a shaft that has cams attached to it, forming part of a mechanical device.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun A shaft fitted with cams; especially one in a piston engine that activates the valves.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun has cams attached to it

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

cam +‎ shaft

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Examples

  • Extending immediately below the camshaft is another vertical shaft, driven by bevel gears from the crank-shaft, and terminating in a worm which drives the multiple piston oil pumps.

    A History of Aeronautics Evelyn Charles Vivian 1914

  • The overhead valves (one intake and one exhaust for each cylinder) are operated by pushrods and rockers from the camshaft, which is mounted in four bearings in the crankcase.

    unknown title 2009

  • For maximum power, the solenoid valve is always closed and full valve opening is achieved following completely the mechanical camshaft, which is specifically designed to maximise power at high engine speed (long opening time).

    gizmag Emerging Technology Magazine 2009

  • For maximum power, the solenoid valve is always closed and full valve opening is achieved following completely the mechanical camshaft, which is specifically designed to maximise power at high engine speed (long opening time).

    gizmag Emerging Technology Magazine 2009

  • For maximum power, the solenoid valve is always closed and full valve opening is achieved following completely the mechanical camshaft, which is specifically designed to maximise power at high engine speed (long opening time).

    gizmag Emerging Technology Magazine 2009

  • You probably won’t want to break down the engine to see if the camshaft is a few too many thousandths worn from driving lifter number seven.

    The RVer’s Bible Kim Baker 1997

  • You probably won’t want to break down the engine to see if the camshaft is a few too many thousandths worn from driving lifter number seven.

    The RVer’s Bible Kim Baker 1997

  • You probably won’t want to break down the engine to see if the camshaft is a few too many thousandths worn from driving lifter number seven.

    The RVer’s Bible Kim Baker 1997

  • You probably won’t want to break down the engine to see if the camshaft is a few too many thousandths worn from driving lifter number seven.

    The RVer’s Bible Kim Baker 1997

  • The engine also has a sportbike-derived chain-and-gear camshaft drive system that allows for a short/narrow cylinder head design and reduced overall engine height.

    Quad 2009 ATV Buyers Guide 2009

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