thumbwheel
noun
thumb·wheel
ˈthəm-ˌ(h)wēl 
: a control for various devices consisting of a partially exposed wheel that can be turned by moving the exposed edge with a finger
Examples of thumbwheel in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Next, turn the thumb wheel above the bar forward to tighten the chain; turn the thumbwheel back to release tension on it.
—
Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, 30 Nov. 2022
In Track mode, dialed in by Porsche's familiar drive mode controller, this very special 911 is the first of its kind to invite you to tweak compression and rebound of the front and rear dampers via the PASM thumbwheel.
—Georg Kacher, Car and Driver, 4 Oct. 2022
The programmable buttons are: two side buttons, the thumbwheel above those, the primary scroll wheel, the button south of the scroll wheel, and the button on the thumb rest.
—Scharon Harding, Ars Technica, 24 May 2022
That’s perfect ergonomics for right-hand drive Defenders in England, while a thumbwheel on the steering wheel allows easy volume control for us fussy Colonials.
—Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 27 Nov. 2020
There are redundant controls for changing radio stations or tracks and a thumbwheel to adjust the volume.
—Tony Quiroga, Car and Driver, 16 Mar. 2020
The head-wrapping ring adjusts easily using a thumbwheel that expands and contracts the sides, similar to adjusting the length of a pair of over-ear headphones.
—Valentina Palladino, Ars Technica, 28 Aug. 2017
Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, 30 Nov. 2022
In Track mode, dialed in by Porsche's familiar drive mode controller, this very special 911 is the first of its kind to invite you to tweak compression and rebound of the front and rear dampers via the PASM thumbwheel.
—Georg Kacher, Car and Driver, 4 Oct. 2022
The programmable buttons are: two side buttons, the thumbwheel above those, the primary scroll wheel, the button south of the scroll wheel, and the button on the thumb rest.
—Scharon Harding, Ars Technica, 24 May 2022
That’s perfect ergonomics for right-hand drive Defenders in England, while a thumbwheel on the steering wheel allows easy volume control for us fussy Colonials.
—Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 27 Nov. 2020
There are redundant controls for changing radio stations or tracks and a thumbwheel to adjust the volume.
—Tony Quiroga, Car and Driver, 16 Mar. 2020
The head-wrapping ring adjusts easily using a thumbwheel that expands and contracts the sides, similar to adjusting the length of a pair of over-ear headphones.
—Valentina Palladino, Ars Technica, 28 Aug. 2017
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'thumbwheel.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1903, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near thumbwheel
Cite this Entry
“Thumbwheel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thumbwheel. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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