simple machine

/ˌsɪmpəl məˌʃin/

Other forms: simple machines

Definitions of simple machine

1. noun

   a device for overcoming resistance at one point by applying force at some other point
   synonyms: machine

   types:

   inclined plane

   a simple machine for elevating objects; consists of plane surface that makes an acute angle with the horizontal

   lever

   a simple machine that gives a mechanical advantage when given a fulcrum

   block, pulley, pulley block, pulley-block

   a simple machine consisting of a wheel with a groove in which a rope can run to change the direction or point of application of a force applied to the rope

   wheel

   a simple machine consisting of a circular frame with spokes (or a solid disc) that can rotate on a shaft or axle (as in vehicles or other machines)

   balance, balance wheel

   a wheel that regulates the rate of movement in a machine; especially a wheel oscillating against the hairspring of a timepiece to regulate its beat

   bicycle wheel

   the wheel of a bicycle

   bollock, bullock block

   a pulley-block at the head of a topmast

   buffing wheel

   a wheel that is covered with soft material

   cartwheel

   a wheel that has wooden spokes and a metal rim

   car wheel

   a wheel that has a tire and rim and hubcap; used to propel the car

   daisy print wheel, daisy wheel

   a wheel around which is a set of print characters that make a typing impression on paper

   driving wheel

   a wheel that drives a motor vehicle (transforms torque into a tractive force)

   fairlead

   a pulley-block used to guide a rope forming part of a ship's rigging to avoid chafing

   cogwheel, gear, gear wheel, geared wheel

   a toothed wheel that engages another toothed mechanism in order to change the speed or direction of transmitted motion

   emery wheel, grinding wheel

   a wheel composed of abrasive material; used for grinding

   handwheel

   a wheel worked by hand

   idle pulley, idle wheel, idler pulley

   a pulley on a shaft that presses against a guide belt to guide or tighten it

   nosewheel

   a wheel located under the nose of an airplane that is part of the plane's landing gear

   paddle wheel, paddlewheel

   a large wheel fitted with paddles and driven by an engine in order to propel a boat

   pinwheel

   a wheel that has numerous pins that are set at right angles to its rim

   potter's wheel

   a horizontal rotating wheel holding the clay being shaped by a potter

   incline, ramp

   an inclined surface connecting two levels

   ratchet wheel

   toothed wheel held in place by a pawl or detent and turned by a lever

   roller

   a small wheel without spokes (as on a roller skate)

   roulette, toothed wheel

   a wheel with teeth for making a row of perforations

   rowel

   a small spiked wheel at the end of a spur

   screw

   a simple machine of the inclined-plane type consisting of a spirally threaded cylindrical rod that engages with a similarly threaded hole

   sprocket, sprocket wheel

   thin wheel with teeth that engage with a chain

   trundle

   small wheel or roller

   wagon wheel

   a wheel of a wagon

   water wheel, waterwheel

   a wheel that rotates by direct action of water; a simple turbine

   water wheel, waterwheel

   a wheel with buckets attached to its rim; raises water from a stream or pond

   wedge

   something solid that is usable as an inclined plane (shaped like a V) that can be pushed between two things to separate them

   type of:

   mechanical device

   mechanism consisting of a device that works on mechanical principles