friction drive

noun

: a power-transmission system that transmits motion by surface friction instead of teeth

Examples of friction drive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Press and hold the red button to activate the friction drive. Eric Bangeman, Ars Technica, 31 May 2024 Not to worry, a couple other categories of e-bike conversion kits remain popular, though generally with higher technical degrees-of-difficulty in completing than the friction drive. IEEE Spectrum, 20 Aug. 2021 Adding the parts is also a bit more complex than friction drive conversion. Heidi Wachter, Treehugger, 8 Aug. 2023 Instead of using the conventional rack and pinion to turn the dome Grant created a new kind of friction drive, using four electric motors of seven and one-half horsepower geared vertically to huge rubber - tired motor - truck wheels that press against the dome. Popular Mechanics Editors, Popular Mechanics, 17 Dec. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

1907, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of friction drive was in 1907

Dictionary Entries Near friction drive

Cite this Entry

“Friction drive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/friction%20drive. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on friction drive

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!