1. a grooved wheel or pulley, especially one in a block
Usage: nautical; mechanical

1. to gather and bind grain into bundles after cutting
Usage: archaic; agricultural

Examples

• The rope ran smoothly through the sheave at the top of the mast.
• Each sheave in the pulley system reduced the effort needed to lift the heavy load.
• The sailors replaced the worn sheave in the block and tackle.
• Workers would sheave the wheat after the harvest was complete.
• The old farmer taught his grandson how to sheave grain properly.
• Modern combines have eliminated the need to sheave crops by hand.