axial

Running in the same direction as a central line through something.

• The bearing supports an axial load.
• We measured axial movement along the shaft.
• The pump produces axial flow through the pipe.

Common phrases: axial flow, axial load, axial movement

Connected with, shaped like, or located on a central line around which something turns.

• The design has axial symmetry.
• The engineer checked the shaft's axial alignment.
• Earth's axial rotation produces day and night.

Common phrases: axial rotation, axial symmetry, axial alignment

Belonging to the central line of the body, a limb, or an organ.

• The skull belongs to the axial skeleton.
• These axial muscles help support the spine.
• Students identified the body's axial structures.

Common phrases: axial skeleton, axial muscles, axial structures

Pointing parallel to the central line through a ring-shaped molecule, rather than outward around its sides.

• This hydrogen occupies an axial position.
• The diagram shows three axial bonds pointing upward.
• The substituent changes from axial to equatorial when the ring flips.

Opposites: equatorial

Common phrases: axial bond, axial hydrogen, axial position

A wing feather found between the two main groups of flight feathers in some birds.

• The bird has a small axial.
• She located the axial between two groups of flight feathers.
• The researchers compared the axials of several birds.

Similar words: axial feather

Common phrases: an axial, small axial, axial feather

An imaginary flat surface running parallel to the side of a tooth.

• The dentist marked an axial on the diagram.
• This axial runs parallel to the tooth's surface.
• The two axials were compared during the dental study.

Similar words: axial plane

Common phrases: an axial, tooth's axial