Axis — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun adjective /ˈak-səs/ ax·is

Meaning & Definition of Axis

Axis (noun)

  1. a straight line about which a body or a geometric figure rotates or may be supposed to rotate
  2. a straight line with respect to which a body or figure is symmetrical —called also axis of symmetry
  3. a straight line that bisects at right angles a system of parallel chords of a curve and divides the curve into two symmetrical parts

Axis (adjective)

  1. of or relating to the three powers Germany, Italy, and Japan engaged against the Allied nations in World War II

Axis (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a thing or place that is of greatest importance to an activity or interest

    "in addition to being the suburb's social axis, the country club is the place where deals are made and partnerships are forged"

    similar: base, capital, center, central, core, cynosure, epicenter, eye, focus, ground zero, heart, hub, locus, mecca, navel, nerve center, nexus, nucleus, omphalos, seat, where it's at
    related: headquarters, happy hunting ground, hive, hotbed, hot spot, playground, playland, kernel, nub, pith, deep, thick, essence, quintessence, soul, attraction, lodestone, magnet, polestar

  2. an association of persons, parties, or states for mutual assistance and protection

    "an axis of previously nonaligned nations"

    similar: alliance, bloc, block, coalition, combination, combine, confederacy, confederation, federation, league, union
    related: cabal, conspiracy, junto, cartel, syndicate, trust, faction, front, fusion, side, wing, association, group, organization, affiliation, cooperative, partnership, circuit, conference

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Axis

The most common words with a similar meaning to Axis:

base, capital, center, central, core, cynosure, epicenter, eye, focus, ground zero, heart, hub, locus, mecca, navel, nerve center, nexus, nucleus, omphalos, seat, alliance, bloc, block, coalition, combination, combine, confederacy, confederation, federation, league, union, where it's at

Related Words for Axis

headquarters, happy hunting ground, hive, hotbed, hot spot, playground, playland, kernel, nub, pith, deep, thick, essence, quintessence, soul, attraction, lodestone, magnet, polestar, cabal, conspiracy, junto, cartel, syndicate, trust, faction, front, fusion, side, wing

Word Forms of Axis

Inflections: axes

Origin & Etymology of Axis

Middle English, "imaginary line passing through the center of a body, celestial axis," borrowed from Latin, "axletree, axle, chariot, celestial axis," going back to Indo-European *h2eḱs- "axle," whence also, with varying thematic derivation, Germanic *ahsō (whence Old English eax "axle," Old Saxon & Old High German ahsa), Old Russian/Eastern Church Slavic osĭ "axle," Bosnian-Croatian-Serbian ôs, Lithuanian ašìs, Old Prussian assis, Greek axon-, áxōn, Sanskrit ákṣaḥ, Avestan aša- "armpit"

First known use: 14th century

Words & Phrases Containing Axis

axis deer, axis mundi, major axis, minor axis, optic axis, semimajor axis, semiminor axis, x-axis

Frequently Asked Questions about Axis

What does "Axis" mean?

"Axis" means a straight line about which a body or a geometric figure rotates or may be supposed to rotate. As an a noun and an adjective, it is defined as: a straight line about which a body or a geometric figure rotates or may be supposed to rotate. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Axis"?

Other words for "Axis" include base, capital, center, central, core, cynosure, epicenter and eye. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Axis" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Axis"?

There are 70 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Axis". Common alternatives include base, capital, center, central, core, cynosure, epicenter, eye, focus and ground zero.

How do you use "Axis" in a sentence?

Examples of "Axis" in a sentence: "in addition to being the suburb's social axis, the country club is the place where deals are made and partnerships are forged"; "an axis of previously nonaligned nations".

Is "Axis" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Axis" can be used as a noun and an adjective, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Axis"?

"Axis" is pronounced /ˈak-səs/ and divided into syllables as ax·is.

What is the origin of the word "Axis"?

"Axis" comes from Middle English, "imaginary line passing through the center of a body, celestial axis," borrowed from Latin, "axletree, axle, chariot, celestial axis," going back to Indo-European *h2eḱs- "axle," whence also, with varying thematic derivation, Germanic *ahsō (whence Old English eax "axle," Old Saxon & Old High German ahsa), Old Russian/Eastern Church Slavic osĭ "axle," Bosnian-Croatian-Serbian ôs, Lithuanian ašìs, Old Prussian assis, Greek axon-, áxōn, Sanskrit ákṣaḥ, Avestan aša- "armpit". First known use: 14th century.

What is another word for "Axis" meaning "a thing or place that is of greatest importance to an activity or interest"?

When "Axis" (noun) means a thing or place that is of greatest importance to an activity or interest, synonyms include base, capital, center, central, core and cynosure.