Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
mineshaft
noun
/ˈmaɪnʃɑːft/
Definition
A mineshaft is a vertical or horizontal passageway used to access a mineral resource beneath the earth’s surface.
Examples
- The workers descended into the mineshaft early in the morning.
- Safety measures are crucial in a mineshaft due to potential hazards.
- After years of mining, the old mineshaft was abandoned.
Meaning
Typically found in mining operations, a mineshaft allows miners to reach and extract valuable materials such as coal, metals, or precious stones from underground deposits.
Synonyms
- mine tunnel
- excavation
- drift
