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

As his mobility continued to decline, Pat was afraid Jeremy was going to need a wheelchair. —Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 17 Dec. 2025

The project widened the doorways for Vincint's bedroom as well as the bathroom, allowing his wheelchair to make the turn into the respective rooms. —Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 15 Dec. 2025

Practices can send a staff member with a wheelchair to help patients traverse long distances. —Paula Span, Miami Herald, 15 Dec. 2025

But the private insurer that manages his Medicaid coverage declined to pay for the $3,500 wheelchair. —Tony Leys, USA Today, 14 Dec. 2025

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