gang saw: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical/Industrial
Quick answer
What does “gang saw” mean?
a saw consisting of multiple parallel blades mounted together, used for cutting multiple pieces of lumber or stone simultaneously.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
a saw consisting of multiple parallel blades mounted together, used for cutting multiple pieces of lumber or stone simultaneously.
In non-technical contexts, the phrase can be understood literally as a group or 'gang' of saws operating together.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is identical in form and meaning in both varieties.
Connotations
Technical/industrial; no regional connotative differences.
Frequency
Equally rare in general discourse but standard within lumber, woodworking, and stonecutting industries in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “gang saw” in a Sentence
The [material] was cut by a gang saw.A gang saw [performs action].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gang saw” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- gang-sawn timber
- gang-saw operation
American English
- gang-sawn lumber
- gang-saw operation
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in procurement, manufacturing, and operations within relevant industries.
Academic
Used in engineering, materials science, and industrial technology texts.
Everyday
Extremely rare; only if discussing specific wood/stone cutting.
Technical
Standard term in lumber milling, woodworking machinery, and stone quarrying.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “gang saw”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “gang saw”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gang saw”
- Writing as one word 'gangsaw' (sometimes accepted but standard is two words).
- Confusing with 'gang saw' as a verb phrase (e.g., 'The gang saw the accident').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is standardly written as two separate words.
No, it is exclusively a noun. The related past participle adjective is 'gang-sawn'.
Lumber milling (sawmills), woodworking, and stone quarrying/cutting.
Its ability to make multiple parallel cuts in one operation, saving time and ensuring uniform thickness.
a saw consisting of multiple parallel blades mounted together, used for cutting multiple pieces of lumber or stone simultaneously.
Gang saw is usually technical/industrial in register.
Gang saw: in British English it is pronounced /ɡæŋ sɔː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɡæŋ sɑː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a 'gang' of saw blades working together in a line, like a gang of workers on an assembly line.
Conceptual Metaphor
TOOL IS A WORKFORCE (multiple blades acting as a coordinated team).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary purpose of a gang saw?