wheel
weel
Wheel (noun) means a circular object that turns on a central axis, used for movement or to power machinery. Example: “The car's front wheel hit a pothole.”
noun
1
A circular object that turns on a central axis, used for movement or to power machinery.
"The car's front wheel hit a pothole."
"She spun the potter's wheel to shape the clay."
"A big wheel turned slowly beside the old mill stream."
2
The steering wheel of a vehicle, or figuratively, control over something.
"He's been behind the wheel for six hours straight."
"She took the wheel of the family business after her father retired."
"Please let me take the wheel for a while, as you look tired."
verb
1
To push or move something that has wheels.
"The nurse wheeled the patient into the operating room."
"She wheeled her suitcase across the busy station concourse."
"The caretaker wheeled the heavy bins out to the road every Tuesday."
2
To turn or change direction sharply.
"He wheeled around when he heard his name called."
"The cyclist wheeled left at the corner to avoid the parked van."
"A flock of birds wheeled overhead, then turned sharply towards the river."
How to use wheel
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA round device that rotates to allow movement, or figuratively, to hold control (as in "behind the wheel").
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "wheal" (a skin bump) or "weal" — all are pronounced the same.
Common pairings
steering wheel
behind the wheel
wheel of fortune
a big wheel
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Word forms
- Plural
- wheels
- Third person singular
- wheels
- Past tense
- wheeled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The car's front _____ hit a pothole.
Etymology
From Old English hwēol, from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to turn" — repeated to describe something that "turns and turns."
Related words
Rhymes for wheel
See all rhymes for wheel →Frequently asked questions
What does “wheel” mean?
The word “wheel” means a circular object that turns on a central axis, used for movement or to power machinery. In plain terms, a round device that rotates to allow movement, or figuratively, to hold control (as in "behind the wheel").
How do you pronounce “wheel”?
“Wheel” is pronounced weel (/wil/ in IPA).
How do you use “wheel” in a sentence?
Here is “wheel” used in a sentence: “The car's front wheel hit a pothole.”
What is another word for “wheel”?
Words with a similar meaning to “wheel” include rim.
What part of speech is “wheel”?
Depending on how it is used, “wheel” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “wheel” come from?
The word “wheel” comes from Old English. From Old English hwēol, from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to turn" — repeated to describe something that "turns and turns.".
Is “wheel” a common word?
“Wheel” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “wheel” have?
“Wheel” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a circular object that turns on a central axis, used for movement or to power machinery.
What is the difference between a wheel and a wheal?
A wheel is a circular object that turns on an axis, used for movement or machinery. A wheal (also spelled weal) is completely different: a raised, itchy mark on the skin, such as one left by a nettle sting, an allergic reaction, or a lash. They only sound alike.
What is the difference between a wheel and an axle?
A wheel is the round part that rotates and touches the ground or belt; an axle is the fixed rod or shaft it turns around. The two work together, the axle supporting the wheel and passing on force, but the wheel spins while the axle holds the centre.
Why was the invention of the wheel important?
The wheel, developed in the ancient Near East thousands of years ago, transformed transport, farming, and industry. It let people move heavy loads with far less effort, powered pottery, milling, and later machinery, and underpinned carts, vehicles, and countless machines. Few inventions have shaped human progress so widely.
What are common types of wheels?
Wheels come in many forms: cartwheels and car wheels for transport, gears and cogwheels for machinery, steering wheels for control, potter's wheels for shaping clay, and flywheels for storing motion. Others include water wheels, spinning wheels, and the small swivelling castors found on furniture.
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