Plain English Meaning
Wheels with teeth that grab the links of a chain, like the gears on a bicycle. They let one shaft turn another by pulling a chain along.
Full Definition
Toothed wheels designed to engage with the links of a chain, used to transmit rotational motion between shafts. In tailwheel and some light aircraft contexts, sprockets and chains are part of mechanical linkages such as those connecting steering or control systems.
Context Anchor
Seen in discussions of airplane mechanical systems, especially linkages used for ground steering or control movement.
Derivation
From Middle English 'sprocket', originally meaning a projection or tooth on a wheel. The aviation use is the same as the bicycle and motorcycle use: a toothed wheel that drives a chain.
Why Pilots Care
Worn or misadjusted sprockets and chains can cause slack, , or jammed , so they show up in and discussions for that use them.