Simple Definition of wheel
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: one of the round parts underneath a car, wagon, etc., that rolls and allows something to move
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: a hard, round object that turns and causes machinery or a mechanical device to move
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: something that is round like a wheel or that turns like a wheel
Full 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
Examples of wheel in a sentence
The car's rear wheels started to spin on the icy road.
the wheels of a train
a suitcase with wheels on the bottom
a wheel of cheddar cheese
Illustration of wheel
Origin and Etymology 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
Other Mechanical Engineering Terms
wheel
Simple Definition of wheel
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: to move (someone or something) on a vehicle that has wheels
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: to push (something) that has wheels on it
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: to turn quickly and face a different direction
Full Definition of wheel
intransitive verb
1 : to turn on or as if on an axis : revolve
2 : to change direction as if revolving on a pivot <the battalion would have wheeled to the flank — Walter Bernstein> <her mind will wheel around to the other extreme — Liam O'Flaherty> <wheeled to face her opponent>
3 : to move or extend in a circle or curve <birds in wheeling flight> <valleys where young cotton wheeled slowly in fanlike rows — William Faulkner>
transitive verb
1 : to cause to turn on or as if on an axis : rotate
2 : to convey or move on or as if on wheels or in a wheeled vehicle <wheeled the patient back to his room> <wheeled the car into the driveway> <wheel in the experts>
3 : to cause to change direction as if revolving on a pivot
4 : to make or perform in a circle or curve
wheel and deal
Examples of wheel in a sentence
Doctors wheeled the patient into the operating room.
He wheeled his motorcycle into the garage.
Our waiter wheeled out a small dessert cart.
She wheeled around in her chair when I entered the room.
13th Century
First Known Use of wheel
13th century
WHEEL Defined for Kids
Definition of wheel for Students
1 : a disk or circular frame that can turn on a central point
2 : something that is round <a wheel of cheese>
3 : steering wheel <His hands tightly gripped the wheel.>
4 : something having a wheel as its main part <a spinning wheel>
5 wheels plural : moving power : necessary parts <the wheels of government>
wheeled
\ˈhwēld, wēld\ adjectiveLearn More about wheel
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for wheel Spanish Central: Translation of wheel Nglish: Translation of wheel for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of wheel for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about wheel
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