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

Accessibility Despite the villa’s vertiginous surroundings, the elevators connecting the reception and the main villa ensure wheelchair access to the rooms. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Mar. 2026

Two stones that were going to be used in the wheelchair curling event that began Wednesday at the Milan Cortina Paralympic Games have been stolen. —ABC News, 4 Mar. 2026

There are also slide-in wheelchair models with space for grab bars. —Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Mar. 2026

The temporary vehicles are fully ADA-accessible and equipped with two wheelchair spaces. —Christopher Harris, CBS News, 2 Mar. 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