Elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) is an important branch of lubrication theory.And it is also one of the key technical factors affecting working durability and reliability of the mechanical parts with higher pairs.EHL theory has become more and more perfect with development of computer technology,numerical calculation and elastohydrodynamic testing technology.Therefore,the theory has been widely used in the design of friction pairs.The main research directions of elastohydrodynamic lubrication of three higher pairs including gears,cams and bearings were reviewed including surface roughness texture,geartooth modification,finite line contact,thermal effect,coating,etc.It was pointed out that modern EHL theory has got better application in these three parts that fulfills the practical demands step by step,and now it can reliably solve some lubrication problems in the actual working conditions,however,the influence of unsteady state effect and real rough surface on the elastohydrodynamic lubrication of high pair parts,the coupling of multiple parameters,computer simulation and related experimental verification of elastohydrodynamic lubrication of high pair still need to be further studied.