wheelchair

noun

wheel·​chair ˈ(h)wēl-ˌcher 

: a chair mounted on wheels especially for the use of disabled persons

Examples of wheelchair in a Sentence

He was in a wheelchair for several months after the accident.

Recent Examples on the Web

McNeely painted this suite of panels just after that 1982 spinal injury left her in a wheelchair, when her doctors warned her that making large paintings would be a challenge. — Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 18 Sep. 2026

Police confirmed that the man was in a wheelchair when he was killed. — Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026

After the crash, she's been confined to a wheelchair in the lower level of her Echo Park apartment. — Jasmine Viel, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026

Accessibility Walkways and paths on the property are paved and wheelchair accessible, as are the rooms and dining venues. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Sep. 2026

The playground already features some inclusive play equipment catered towards children with extra physical or sensory needs, including ramps and a wheelchair-accessible sandbox. — Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 17 Sep. 2026

Clancy is in a wheelchair, having been paralyzed in the suicide attempt. — Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2026

In New Jersey, Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh said emergency crews rescued about 20 people from rapidly rising floodwaters, including a woman who fell out of her wheelchair and ended up floating in the street. — ABC News, 13 Sep. 2026

Heder’s choice created a massive opportunity for actors like Madeley who has been a wheelchair user since birth. — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1684, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing wheelchair

• wheelchair ramp

Rhymes for wheelchair

• abwehr
• affair
• affaire
• airfare
• altair
• armchair
• aware
• beware
• bugbear
• carfare
• childcare
• compare

Kids Definition

wheelchair

noun

wheel·​chair -ˌche(ə)r 

-ˌcha(ə)r

: a chair with wheels used especially by sick, injured, or disabled people to get about

Medical Definition

wheelchair

noun

wheel·​chair ˈhwē(ə)l-ˌche(ə)r, ˈwē(ə)l-, -ˌcha(ə)r 

: a chair mounted on wheels especially for the use of disabled individuals