freewheel

1 of 2

noun

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

freewheel

2 of 2

verb

freewheeled; freewheeling; freewheels

intransitive verb

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

Noun

Fortunately, freewheels are still being made by most major manufacturers, so replacing the one that's on there shouldn't be a problem. —New Atlas, 9 Sep. 2025

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

Verb

In the wake of the performer’s collaboration with comedian Kevin Hart on a freewheeling highlights show carried by Peacock throughout the 2021 Tokyo Games, Solomon sought to give Snoop a more hands-on role in the City of Light. —Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 13 Feb. 2026

Hong Kong — Former Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai has been sentenced to 20 years in prison, ending a years-long legal battle that has come to define Beijing’s transformational crackdown on the once-freewheeling financial hub. —Chris Lau, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1899, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1899, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for freewheel

• abele
• alkyl
• anneal
• appeal
• cartwheel
• conceal
• congeal
• coquille
• corneal
• cornmeal
• flywheel
• foveal