rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryneutralDisengaged gear position
noun

neutral

A gear position in which engine power is not transmitted to the wheels.

The driver shifts into neutral.

Etymology
neuterLatinneither of two
+-alisLatinpertaining to

Neutral means belonging to neither opposing position. A gearbox in neutral engages neither a forward-driving nor a reverse-driving gear, leaving engine power disconnected from the wheels.

More examples

  • The car rolled while the transmission was in neutral.
  • Put the gear selector in neutral before moving the vehicle by hand.
  • The instructor checked that the car was in neutral.

Forms

neutral · neutrals

Similar words

park
A different automatic-transmission setting that locks the output rather than letting it turn freely.