1. A (usually metal) fastener with a helical thread used for joining things firmly or permanently together, put in place by turning under force
   "He used a power drill to drive the screw into the wood"
    
2. A simple machine of the inclined-plane type consisting of a spirally threaded cylindrical rod that engages with a similarly threaded hole
   "The Archimedes screw was used to lift water for irrigation"
    
3. A propeller with several angled blades that rotates to push against water or air
   "The ship's screw propeller churned the water as it moved forward";
   - screw propeller
    
4. [vulgar] Slang for sexual intercourse
   "They had a screw in the back of the car";
   - rumpy-pumpy [informal]
    
5. [informal] Someone who guards prisoners
   "The screw patrolled the cellblock during his night shift";
   - prison guard, jailer, jailor, gaoler [Brit], turnkey [archaic], kanga [Austral, informal], prison officer [Brit], prison warder [Brit]

1. Fasten, tighten, or adjust by twisting
   "He screwed the lid onto the jar"
    
2. Cause to penetrate, as with a circular motion
   "drive in screws or bolts";
   - drive in
    
3. Tighten or fasten by means of screwing motions
   "Screw the bottle cap on"
    
4. [informal] Defeat someone through trickery or deceit
   "The con artist screwed the unsuspecting victim out of their savings";
   - cheat, chouse [archaic], shaft [informal], chicane, jockey
    
5. [vulgar, informal] Have sexual intercourse
   "they screwed in the back of the car";
   - sleep together, love, make love, sleep with, have sex, know [archaic], do it [informal], be intimate, have intercourse, lie with [archaic], bed [informal], get it on [informal]

Derived forms: screwed, screwing, screws

See also: force

Type of: beat, beat out, carnal knowledge, coition, coitus, copulate, copulation, couple, crush, fasten, fastener, fastening, fixing, go around, go round, holdfast, inclined plane, intercourse, keeper, law officer, mate, pair, peace officer, propeller, propellor, relation, revolve, rotate, sex act, sexual congress, sexual intercourse, sexual relation, shell [US], tighten, trounce, vanquish

Antonym: unscrew

Part of: outboard, outboard motor, ship

Encyclopedia: Screw, Nut, Bolt and Rivet Trade union