axis

/ˈæksɪs/
noun
  1. An imaginary straight line around which an object rotates or is arranged.
    • The Earth rotates on its axis once every 24 hours.
    • A wheel spins around its central axis.
    • The axis of a telescope allows it to point in different directions.
  2. A reference line used in a graph or coordinate system to measure positions.
    • The horizontal axis represents the number of years.
    • Plot the point where the two axes cross.
    • On the graph, the x-axis shows time and the y-axis shows temperature.
  3. A central or main structure around which something develops or is organized.
    • The axis of the story is the conflict between the two families.
    • The city's main axis runs from the river to the park.
    • The spine is the main axis of the human skeleton.
  4. A political alliance or alignment between countries or groups.
    • During World War II, Germany, Italy, and Japan formed the Axis powers.
    • The two nations created an axis of cooperation for trade.
    • The political axis between the parties shifted after the election.
What does "axis" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean