1. Plural of jackshaft; intermediate shafts in machinery that transmit power between a main shaft and driven equipment, often used to change speed or direction of rotation.
Usage: technical; mechanical engineering

Examples

• The factory's textile machinery relied on jackshafts to distribute power from the central motor to multiple looms.
• Engineers designed the system with several jackshafts to reduce vibration and improve efficiency.
• The old mill still has its original jackshafts, which are now museum pieces.
• Jackshafts allow operators to adjust the speed of different machines independently.
• Maintenance workers inspected the jackshafts for wear and proper alignment.