wheeler

noun

wheel·​er ˈ(h)wē-lər 

1

: one that wheels

2

: a draft animal (such as a horse) pulling in the position nearest the front wheels of a wagon

3

: something (such as a vehicle or ship) that has wheels

—used especially in combination

a side-wheeler

18-wheelers

Examples of wheeler in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This year, two 18-wheelers will arrive loaded with perennials, trees and shrubs to sell to visitors from all over D-FW. —Kelley Bruss, Dallas Morning News, 6 Mar. 2026

As players and the club work to be the best women’s soccer team on the planet at 1 Teal Rising Way off of I-635, construction is boisterous and 18-wheelers continuously roll up and down the street across from the complex. —Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 25 Feb. 2026

In June 2024, undocumented Indian national Partap Singh was arrested for causing a multi-car pileup while driving a commercial 18-wheeler. —Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 25 Feb. 2026

The department said icy conditions caused some 18-wheelers to lose momentum and slide, contributing to the traffic backup. —Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1683, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing wheeler

• eighteen-wheeler
• four-wheeler
• paddle wheeler
• stern-wheeler
• three-wheeler
• two-wheeler
• wheeler and dealer
• wheeler-dealer

Rhymes for wheeler

• dealer
• feeler
• healer
• keeler
• peeler
• sealer
• stealer
• repealer
• revealer

Kids Definition

wheeler

noun

wheel·​er ˈhwē-lər 

ˈwē-

: one of a team of horses that pulls from the position nearest the front wheels of a wagon

Biographical Definition

Wheeler 1 of 2

biographical name (1)

Whee·​ler ˈ(h)wē-lər 

Joseph 1836–1906 American general

Wheeler

2 of 2

biographical name (2)

William Almon 1819–1887 American politician; vice president of the U.S. (1877–81)