wheelie

noun

wheel·​ie ˈ(h)wē-lē How to pronounce wheelie (audio)
: a maneuver in which a wheeled vehicle (such as a bicycle) is momentarily balanced on its rear wheel or wheels

Examples of wheelie in a Sentence

He did a wheelie on his bike.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Kids are popping wheelies in the middle of the trail, some not wearing helmets, and on their phones. Ticked Off, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Feb. 2026 When the officer attempted to stand up, Coleman lifted the vehicle into a wheelie, striking the officer in the face. Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 7 Feb. 2026 Monster trucks do it all — from high‑speed sprint races to the crowd‑favorite freestyle finale, where drivers push the limits with wheelies, flips and massive jumps. Travis Lacoss, IndyStar, 5 Feb. 2026 While popping wheelies on his bike, shooting hoops in the driveway, and playing football with his dad and older brother in the front yard, Harmon looks like a lot of other boys. Kristine Sorensen, CBS News, 15 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wheelie

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1965, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wheelie was circa 1965

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wheelie.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wheelie. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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