free·wheel
ˈfrē-ˈ(h)wēl 
: a clutch fitted in the rear hub of a bicycle that permits the rear wheel to run on free from the rear sprocket when the pedals are stopped
freewheeled; freewheeling; freewheels
1
: to roll along freely independent of a gear
2
: to move, live, or play freely or irresponsibly
freewheeler
noun
Examples of freewheel in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Carlton Reid, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
On the other side, the spokes meet the axle slightly off-center, while the gears (and the freewheel that allows them to rotate freely in only one direction) take up the space between there and the frame.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 10 Nov. 2018
Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025
Andor is a teenager now (played by Bojtorján Barabás), and, along with his friend Sári (Elíz Szabó), the bombsites of Budapest are his playground, in freewheeling, atmospheric scenes that recall Roberto Rossellini’s Germany Year Zero (1948).
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for freewheel
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Through a backpedal motion, the freewheel on the Utility S2 shift from one chain tension to another, high gear or low.
—Carlton Reid, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
On the other side, the spokes meet the axle slightly off-center, while the gears (and the freewheel that allows them to rotate freely in only one direction) take up the space between there and the frame.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 10 Nov. 2018
Verb
That said, the policy change also reflects a broader change in the media landscape, where trust in news outlets is at an all time low, while freewheeling digital hosts routinely publish hours-long conversations with guests.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025
Andor is a teenager now (played by Bojtorján Barabás), and, along with his friend Sári (Elíz Szabó), the bombsites of Budapest are his playground, in freewheeling, atmospheric scenes that recall Roberto Rossellini’s Germany Year Zero (1948).
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for freewheel
Cite this Entry
“Freewheel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/freewheel. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share