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

Inzunza Noriega, who appeared in a wheelchair, said little at the hearing but exchanged hand signals of encouragement with two supporters as he was wheeled out of the courtroom. —Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026

Grandma turned in her wheelchair, angled her body to stare at the shadows cross-hatching and haunting the doorframe. —Literary Hub, 22 Jan. 2026

There are more than 25 attractions, including a carousel with wheelchair-accessible chariots, a sensory-friendly village, an accessible Ferris wheel, and a new wheelchair-accessible swing ride. —Sarah Gilliland, Southern Living, 20 Jan. 2026

Although my dad spent the past six months gazing blankly from his wheelchair, his aura had still permeated the house. —Danielle Parker, CBS News, 20 Jan. 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