What does sheave mean?
Sheave is an unusual word with two established but very different uses. As a noun, it denotes the grooved wheel around which a rope, cable, or belt runs. It is a component of a pulley or block and allows a line to change direction or gain mechanical advantage. References to pulley wheels, swivel sheaves, and blocks are especially common in mechanical and nautical settings. As a verb, sheave means to gather grain, straw, or another material into bundles called sheaves; this use survives chiefly in agricultural, historical, and literary language. Although the modern noun is technical while the verb is comparatively uncommon, both belong to ordinary English and are understood by general readers. The word should not be confused with sheaf, which means a bundle of stalks, or with shave, which means to cut or scrape away a thin layer.
A grooved wheel on which a rope, cable, or belt runs, forming part of a pulley or block.
"The new cable was routed over the sheave and secured below deck."
Chiefly used in technical, engineering, mechanical, and nautical language.
To gather grain, straw, or other material into bundles or sheaves.
"They sheaved the cut wheat before the rain began."
Now uncommon and found mainly in agricultural, historical, or literary contexts.
The standard plural of the noun; it can refer to multiple pulley wheels or multiple bundles of grain.
"Each of the two sheaves was mounted in a separate block."
One word names both a pulley’s grooved wheel and the act of binding grain into bundles.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Words that share this root
Related word forms
How sheave is actually used
The noun is chiefly technical, appearing in engineering, rigging, nautical, and mechanical contexts. The verb is now relatively uncommon and sounds formal, literary, or agricultural.
Easily confused with sheave
A sheaf is a bundle of grain, straw, or similar material, whereas a sheave is the grooved wheel of a pulley.
To shave means to cut or remove a thin layer, and it is pronounced with a different vowel sound.