Ferris wheel

noun

Fer·​ris wheel ˈfer-əs- 

ˈfe-rəs-

: an amusement device consisting of a large upright power-driven wheel carrying seats that remain horizontal around its rim

Examples of Ferris wheel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Clever editing flourish from the filmmaker push L.A. even further out of alignment, as the disembodied voice of narrator Roscoe Lee Browne and a feverish performance by the Santa Monica Ferris wheel endlessly distorts without ever breaking. —Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 17 Apr. 2026

And what's a state fair without livestock competitions, rodeo events, a carousel and a Ferris wheel? —Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2026

The blue-and-white structure is located near the iconic Ferris wheel in Terrace North. —Senior Food Editor, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026

Picture a perfect, breezy day on the Santa Monica Pier, complete with cotton candy and a Ferris wheel ride. —Loren Savini, Allure, 13 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

G. W. G. Ferris †1896 American engineer

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for Ferris wheel

• afebrile
• bookmobile
• cochineal
• nonideal
• peroneal
• philomel
• popliteal
• snowmobile
• waterwheel
• abele
• alkyl
• anneal

Kids Definition

Ferris wheel

noun

Fer·​ris wheel ˈfer-əs- 

: an amusement ride consisting of a large vertical wheel that is driven by a motor and has seats around its rim

Etymology

named for G. W. G. Ferris 1859–1896 American engineer