Dictionary Definition

axes (See ax)
n : an edge tool with a heavy bladed head mounted across a handle [syn: axe]

1 chop or split with an ax; "axe wood" [syn: axe]

2 terminate; "The NSF axed the research program and stopped funding it" [syn: axe] [also: axes (pl)]

User Contributed Dictionary

Axes is a heteronym; the plural of both axis and axe.

Colloquially, axe is a general name for an electric guitar or a wind instrument in popular music.
Axe has other meanings not used in the plural.
Axes is a 2005 album by British indie rock band Electrelane.

In mathematics an axis is a straight line around which a geometric figure can be rotated. An axis of symmetry is a line with respect to which a body can be symmetrical. The term is also applied for the axis of a graph; the horizontal axis x-axis, the vertical y-axis and the z-axis is a possible third axis used for three-dimensional graphing.
Axis (anatomy): In anatomy, the axis (C2) is the second cervical vertebra of the spine. Its articulation with the bone above, the atlas, allows rotation, and its articulation with the bone below (C3) allows a lesser degree of flexion, tilting and rotation.
In politics, Axis (often capitalized) can also be used to denote an alliance or partnership between states. A historical example are the Axis Powers during World War II who where fought by the Allies. In 2002 George W. Bush popularized the term Axis of Evil.