wheel

¹wheel

noun, often attributive \ˈhwēl, ˈwēl\

Definition of WHEEL

1

: a circular frame of hard material that may be solid, partly solid, or spoked and that is capable of turning on an axle

2

: a contrivance or apparatus having as its principal part a wheel: as a : a chiefly medieval instrument of torture designed for mutilating a victim (as by stretching or disjointing) b : bicycle c : any of many revolving disks or drums used as gambling paraphernalia d : potter's wheel e : steering wheel

3

a : an imaginary turning wheel symbolizing the inconstancy of fortune b : a recurring course, development, or action : cycle

4

: something (as a round flat cheese) resembling a wheel in shape

5

a : a curving or circular movement b : a rotation or turn usually about an axis or center; specifically : a turning movement of troops or ships in line in which the units preserve alignment and relative positions as they change direction

6

a : a moving or essential part of something compared to a machine <the wheels of government> b : a directing or controlling force c : a person of importance especially in an organization <a big wheel>

7

: the refrain or burden of a song

8

a : a circuit of theaters or places of entertainment b : a sports league

9

plural slang : a wheeled vehicle; especially : automobile

10

plural slang : legs

— wheel·less \ˈhwēl-ləs, ˈwēl-\ adjective

Examples of WHEEL

1. The car's rear wheels started to spin on the icy road.
2. the wheels of a train
3. a suitcase with wheels on the bottom
4. a wheel of cheddar cheese

Illustration of WHEEL

Origin of WHEEL

Middle English, from Old English hweogol, hwēol; akin to Old Norse hvēl wheel, Greek kyklos circle, wheel, Sanskrit cakra, Latin colere to cultivate, inhabit, Sanskrit carati he moves, wanders

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to WHEEL

Synonyms: gyration, pirouette, reel, revolution, roll, rotation, twirl, spin, whirl

Antonyms: lightweight, nobody, nonentity, nothing, shrimp, twerp, whippersnapper, zero, zilch

Related Words: circuit, circulation, ring, round; coil, curl, curve, spiral, twist, whorl; circle, orbit; eddy, swirl

Near Antonyms: inferior, subordinate, underling; mediocrity, obscurity

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Other Mechanical Engineering Terms

centrifuge, differential, flange, lathe, linchpin, pinion, plenum, ratchet, traction

Rhymes with WHEEL

ceil, chiel, creel, deal, deil, eel, feel, heal, heel, keel, Kiel, kneel, leal, meal, peal, peel, real, reel, seal, seel, shiel, speel, spiel, squeal, steal, steel, Steele, streel, teal, tuille, veal, weal, wheal, zeal