axis in science

Meanings

1. 1phrasecountabletechnical

   a real or imaginary line through the center of an object, around which it turns or is symmetrical

   Grammar: Countable: 'an axis', 'the axes'. Plural is 'axes'.

   Patterns

   • the axis of something
   • rotate around an axis
   • the Earth's axis

   The Earth spins on its axis once every 24 hours.

   The wheel turns around a metal axis.

   In geometry, a line of symmetry is often called an axis.

2. 2phrasecountablemathematics

   one of the two reference lines (horizontal and vertical) used to plot points on a graph

   Grammar: Usually plural 'axes' when talking about both lines: 'the x and y axes'.

   Patterns

   • the x-axis
   • the y-axis
   • plot something against an axis

   Label the x-axis with time and the y-axis with temperature.

   The graph shows distance on the vertical axis.

   Plot the data points on the axes.

3. 3phrasecountablemedicaltechnical

   the second vertebra in the neck, which allows the head to turn

   Grammar: Technical; usually singular 'the axis' in anatomy.

   Patterns

   • the axis vertebra
   • the axis bone

   The axis is the second cervical vertebra.

   Injury to the axis can affect head movement.

Word forms

Common combinations

the Earth's axis

The tilt of the Earth's axis causes the seasons.

the x-axis

Time is shown on the x-axis.

the y-axis

The y-axis shows the number of visitors.

rotate on an axis

The fan rotates on a central axis.

Synonyms and how they differ

pivot

Pivot is a point or axis on which something turns; it often refers to the physical pin, while 'axis' can be an imaginary line.

axle

Axle is the rod that connects wheels; it is a physical part, not an imaginary line.

Word family

axial adjective

relating to an axis

axially adverb

in a direction along an axis

Commonly confused: axis in science or axes?

Practice

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