axis

9 definitions • 7 examples

a real or imaginary straight line going through the centre of an object that is spinning, or a line that divides a symmetrical shape into two equal halves:

The earth revolves around the axis that joins the North and South Poles.

The diameter of a circle is also an axis.

a fixed line on a graph used to show the position of a point:

Plot distance on the vertical y-axis against time on the horizontal x-axis.

the second of the small bones in the neck that form the spine and support the skull

an agreement between governments or politicians to work together to achieve a particular aim:

the Franco-German axis

the countries, including Germany, Italy, and Japan, that fought against the Allies in the Second World War:

the Axis powers/nations

a real or imaginary straight line that goes through the center of a spinning object or a line that divides a shape into two equal halves

The earth's axis is an imaginary line that goes through the earth between the North Pole and the South Pole.

An axis is also a line on a graph used to show the position of a point.

one of two or more fixed lines on a graph:

horizontal/vertical axis We can label the axes - time is on the horizontal axis, and the amount (or value) of money is shown on the vertical axis.

an axis measures/shows/represents The vertical axis shows the rate of growth in inflation-adjusted GDP.