Skip to main content
automobile tire

automobile tire

2.1
A rubber covering on a car wheel that gives grip and makes the ride smoother
  • noun
  • /ˈɔːtəməˌbiːl taɪər/
  • US
translation icon : neumático
  • He checked the air pressure in each automobile tire before embarking on the road trip.

Examples

  • Now in that case, let us find the kinetic energy of an automobile tire that is rolling without slipping.

  • I don't know how many of you would have ever, when you went to replace an automobile tire, decide to get it retreaded.

  • Inside, he could see the tracks of automobile tires along the path to the large house.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • The sound of automobile tires on the brick drive woke her.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • Automobile tires should possess low rolling losses but high sliding friction.

    Academic text (1998)
  • The mechanic advised her to replace the automobile tire for better traction on wet roads.

  • After a long drive, the automobile tire showed signs of wear and needed to be changed.

Synonyms

tire
vsautomobile tire
  • US
665 1.0

A thick rubber ring that fits around a vehicle wheel and holds air

applies specifically to passenger vehicle wheels and stresses traction while driving
car tire
vsautomobile tire
  • US
2 1.0

A round rubber cover that fits a car wheel, holds air, and helps the car grip the road

emphasizes traction and shock absorption while the other stresses inflation and cushioning
rubber tire
vsautomobile tire
  • US
1 1.6

A ring of rubber around a wheel that touches the road

focuses on function for passenger vehicle wheels rather than the material used
auto tire
vsautomobile tire
  • US
1 1.6

A rubber ring on a car wheel that helps the ride be smooth and gives grip

has identical meaning and form but uses different common wording
pneumatic tire
vsautomobile tire
  • US
1 3.6

A rubber cover filled with air that fits a car or bicycle wheel

is the general passenger vehicle wheel covering rather than only the air filled kind

Surface Forms

Morphology

automobile + tire

The meaning 'a tire for an automobile' is directly and compositionally derived from 'automobile' (a powered vehicle) + 'tire' (a rubber ring on a wheel). This straightforward noun–noun compound follows common cross-linguistic modification patterns, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will immediately understand the MWE.

Etymology

Automobile tire joins automobile meaning 'car' and tire meaning a 'cover' for a wheel. Long ago people used 'tire' like 'clothes' for a wheel, so a tire was the wheel's cover, which is why automobile tire now means the rubber cover that fits around a car wheel.