direct drive

noun

A mechanism where the force or torque from a prime mover is transmitted directly to the effector device (such as the drive wheels of a vehicle) without any intermediate couplings such as a gear train or a belt.

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Meanings

noundirect drive (plural direct drives)

plural direct drives

  1. attributiveoftenengineeringA mechanism where the force or torque from a prime mover is transmitted directly to the effector device (such as the drive wheels of a vehicle) without any intermediate couplings such as a gear train or a belt.
Cite this entry
APA

direct drive. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/direct%20drive

MLA

“direct drive.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/direct%20drive. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “direct drive,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/direct%20drive.

Source: direct drive on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.