noun
- plural of pawl: pivoted catches that engage with the teeth of a ratchet wheel to prevent backward motion
Usage: mechanical
Examples
- The pawls clicked as the ratchet turned forward.
- When the pawls are engaged, the wheel cannot rotate backward.
- The mechanic replaced the worn pawls in the winch mechanism.
- Spring-loaded pawls automatically engage with the gear teeth.
- The pawls must be disengaged to allow reverse rotation.
- Both pawls were damaged and needed replacement.