French word

engrenage

Pronunciation

IPA/ɑ̃gʁənaʒ/

Meaning

  • masculine noungear

Example

On doit lubrifier l'engrenage régulièrement.

The gear needs to be lubricated regularly.

Illustration for engrenage (gear)

More examples

Après cette erreur, il est tombé dans l'engrenage des dettes.

After this mistake, he fell into a cycle of debt.

Core concept

Interlocking toothed wheels pass motion from one part to the next, forming a coordinated chain.

Common phrases

  • tomber dans l'engrenage

    fall into a vicious cycle

  • engrenage infernal

    vicious cycle

Similar words

mécanisme: A set of combined parts or elements designed to perform a particular function.
système: An organized set of related elements working together as a whole.
chaîne: A long linked connection that passes force or material from one link to the next.
pièce: One of the individual parts that makes up a machine.

Definition in French

Dispositif composé de roues dentées en prise qui transmettent le mouvement, et par extension le processus de liaison ou de coordination entre éléments.

Word origin

Engrenage is formed from the verb engrener, meaning to mesh gears, with the noun-forming suffix -age, and its mechanical sense extends to linked processes.

Usage tips

  • Engrenage is masculine, as in un engrenage, and entrer dans un engrenage often means becoming caught in a chain of events.

Other meanings

  • meshingnoun
  • gearingnoun

Word lists with this word