drive train

This term is a technical compound noun used primarily in automotive engineering and mechanical contexts. It describes the entire system of power transmission, distinguishing the mechanical delivery of torque from the power generation of the engine itself.

In professional settings, it is often used to differentiate between front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, and all-wheel drive configurations. While "drivetrain" is frequently written as a single word in modern technical manuals, the two-word form remains common in formal mechanical specifications.