reverse gear
noun
: a part (called a gear) that makes a motor move a vehicle in a backward direction
The tractor does not have a reverse gear.
Put the car in/into reverse gear.
—sometimes used figurativelyThe economy seems to be stuck in reverse gear.
Examples of reverse gear in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Using energy generated by the motors to reverse eliminates the need for a reverse gear, making transmissions lighter, less expensive and less complex.
—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
24 June 2026
Plus, there’s a handy-dandy reverse gear on board too, which is becoming more commonplace on e-motos.
—
New Atlas,
21 May 2026
With that reverse gear caused by Baker Mayfield’s struggles and bad red-zone defense, TB now finds itself in an NFC South mutt-fight with Carolina in a winner-take-all division that likely won’t see the runner-up with a wild-card spot.
—
Greg Cote
december 10,
Miami Herald,
10 Dec. 2025
The battery’s state of charge is always sufficient to start the engine and to operate the electric reverse gear.
—
Jason Barlow,
WIRED,
6 Oct. 2024
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Charles Singh,
USA Today,
24 June 2026
Plus, there’s a handy-dandy reverse gear on board too, which is becoming more commonplace on e-motos.
—
New Atlas,
21 May 2026
With that reverse gear caused by Baker Mayfield’s struggles and bad red-zone defense, TB now finds itself in an NFC South mutt-fight with Carolina in a winner-take-all division that likely won’t see the runner-up with a wild-card spot.
—
Greg Cote
december 10,
Miami Herald,
10 Dec. 2025
The battery’s state of charge is always sufficient to start the engine and to operate the electric reverse gear.
—
Jason Barlow,
WIRED,
6 Oct. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Reverse gear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reverse%20gear. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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