1. The lowest forward gear ratio in the gear box of a motor vehicle; used to start a car moving
   "He shifted into first gear to navigate the steep hill";
   - first, low gear, low

Derived forms: first gears

Type of: gear, gear mechanism

Part of: auto [informal], autocar [archaic], automobile [N. Amer], car, motor [Brit, informal], motorcar, wheel [informal], whip [US, informal]