1. A shaft in a machine that receives motion from a main shaft and transmits it to other parts, often at a different speed or direction.
Usage: technical; mechanical engineering

Examples

• The countershaft in the lathe transfers power from the motor to the spindle.
• Engineers designed the countershaft to reduce the rotational speed before it reaches the final drive.
• The countershaft is positioned between the main shaft and the output shaft.
• Replacing the worn countershaft bearings improved the machine's performance.
• The countershaft allows the transmission to change gear ratios efficiently.