wheeler

noun

wheel·​er ˈ(h)wē-lər 

1

: one that wheels

2

: a draft animal (such as a horse) pulling in the position nearest the front wheels of a wagon

3

: something (such as a vehicle or ship) that has wheels

—used especially in combination

a side-wheeler

18-wheelers

Examples of wheeler in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Finally, the police alerted us when an eighteen-wheeler full of medical supplies arrived. — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2026

The incident, in which an 18-wheeler killed three individuals in a minivan, sparked national debate over requirements for commercial driver’s licenses. — Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 10 Sep. 2026

Dad hadn’t been crushed behind the steering wheel of an eighteen-wheeler. — Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2026

But experts are focused this week on diesel, the fuel that powers everything from boats and trains to farm equipment and 18-wheelers. — Steve Kopack, NBC news, 3 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1683, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing wheeler

• eighteen-wheeler
• four-wheeler
• paddle wheeler
• stern-wheeler
• three-wheeler
• two-wheeler
• wheeler and dealer
• wheeler-dealer

Rhymes for wheeler

• dealer
• feeler
• healer
• keeler
• peeler
• sealer
• stealer
• repealer
• revealer

Kids Definition

wheeler

noun

wheel·​er ˈhwē-lər 

ˈwē-

: one of a team of horses that pulls from the position nearest the front wheels of a wagon

Biographical Definition

Wheeler 1 of 2

biographical name (1)

Whee·​ler ˈ(h)wē-lər 

Joseph 1836–1906 American general

Wheeler

2 of 2

biographical name (2)

William Almon 1819–1887 American politician; vice president of the U.S. (1877–81)