Skip to main content
wheel

wheel

∞ 1.0
A round object that turns on an axle to help move or steer vehicles
  • noun
  • /wiːl/
: rueda
  • It's time to spin the wheel and claim your prize.
  • steering wheel
  • car wheels
  • truck wheel

There was a freaking cheese wheel that was like he was scraping.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • One hand is on the steering wheel, and the other is on the joystick.

    Academic text (2013)
  • I figured I'd need new wheels after my old work vehicle went boom.

  • I never got behind the wheel of a race car ever again.

  • I saw your hands on the wheel.

  • Would you like a steering wheel in the back, sir?

  • And I am going to ride it until the wheels fall off.

  • I like your new wheels.

  • Things were looking weak, but the wheels hadn't fallen off the bus.

  • Hypoglycaemia is dangerous at the wheel when it may affect concentration, vision, judgment, and reaction times.

    Academic text (2012)
  • The car's wheel hit a pothole, causing a flat tire.

Idioms

To drive and be in control of a car or other vehicle

38 4.3

In charge of a situation or group and guiding what happens

11 5.1

To spend time making something that already exists instead of using it

9.9

An action much stronger than needed against something small and harmless

To work hard and continue when things are difficult

To start working very hard to reach a goal

To begin working very hard and not give up on a difficult task

Compounds

A round wheel in a car or bus that the driver turns to change direction

38 2.0

A vehicle that has four wheels

37 2.4

A large round wheel that turns with small cars that people ride at fairs

four-wheel drive
  • Specialized
21 3.4

A system that powers all four wheels for better grip on rough or slippery ground

third wheel
  • Informal
17 6.1

A person who feels left out when with a couple

12 3.5

A vehicle with two wheels like a bicycle or scooter

A round spinning wheel with numbered slots used for bets in the game of roulette

7 3.4

A large wooden wheel with spokes and a metal rim used on a cart

hamster wheel
  • Informal
5 5.5

A routine of repeated tasks that makes no progress

A small machine that turns wool and other fibers into yarn by hand or foot

fifth wheel
  • Offensive
3 7.0

A person who feels left out when others are a couple

A round part with a rim and spokes that turns on a bicycle

2 3.5

A large wheel turned by flowing water to power machines or lift water

big wheel
  • Informal
2 5.6

An important person who has a lot of power in a group

driving wheel
  • Specialized
2 3.7

A wheel on a vehicle that gets power from the engine and moves the vehicle

2 3.2

A round chart that shows how colors are related and which colors match well

2 3.3

Having three wheels like a tricycle or scooter

paddle wheel
  • Archaic
2 3.5

A large round device with boards around its edge that turns to move a boat

A spinning flat round surface that turns clay so a potter can shape it

1 8.6

A small cylinder with prayers inside that people spin in Tibetan Buddhist prayer

1 1.0

A round part under a car with a tire that turns to help it move

1 5.1

An extra wheel and tire kept in a car for emergencies

balance wheel
  • Specialized
1 7.4

A small wheel in a watch or clock that swings against a thin spring to keep accurate time

fifth wheel
  • Archaic
1 9.1

A metal part on a wagon that lets the front axle turn for steering

grinding wheel
  • Specialized
1 3.9

A round wheel of rough material that you use to sharpen or shape metal

gear wheel
  • Specialized
1 3.5

A round wheel with teeth that fits together with another wheel to move parts or change speed

1 8.8

A situation with many connected parts that affect each other

1 4.6

A large round device turned by flowing water to run machines that grind grain

spinning wheel
  • Specialized
1 4.2

A small circle on the screen that spins to show the computer is busy

1 3.8

Round and flat like a circle

buffing wheel
  • Specialized
1 7.4

A wheel covered with soft cloth used to polish metal or wood

A round firework that spins and sends out bright sparks

wheel and axle
  • Specialized
1 4.2

A simple machine with a round part turning around a bar to lift things

A round gear with teeth that makes a row of holes in paper

sprocket wheel
  • Specialized
1 6.1

A thin wheel with teeth that a chain fits on to turn parts like on a bicycle

wheel lock
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A gun device with a rotating wheel that makes sparks to light powder

daisy wheel
  • Archaic
1 8.6

A round wheel with letters around the edge used to print text on paper

geared wheel
  • Specialized
1 6.3

A round wheel with teeth that fits another to change speed or direction

A wheel with teeth that a small catch lets turn in one direction

wheel horse
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A strong horse that stands nearest the wheels to help pull a wagon

escape wheel
  • Specialized
1 8.8

A wheel with teeth in a mechanical clock or watch that controls how the gears move

idle wheel
  • Specialized
1 7.7

A wheel that presses on a belt to guide and keep it tight without powering the belt

1 9.5

A plant with tall stalks and bright yellow flowers with red or purple centers

emery wheel
  • Specialized
1 7.0

A hard round wheel that grinds, polishes, or sharpens metal

1 3.6

A thin metal or wooden bar that connects the center of a wheel to its outer edge

wheel bug
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A large North American insect with a wheel-shaped crest that eats other insects

1 7.2

A circular chart with a rotating disk that shows information when you turn it

worm wheel
  • Specialized
1 8.4

A gear that fits with a screw-shaped gear to turn movement at a right angle

9.8

A round wheel with letters on spokes that prints letters on paper

9.9

A garden flower with long stems and yellow petals with red centers

lantern wheel
  • Specialized
9.9

A small clock gear with round bars instead of teeth

A pair of gears in a car that turn motion at a right angle

planet wheel
  • Specialized
8.1

A gear that turns around a central gear in a gearbox

tread-wheel
  • Archaic
9.9

A large wheel turned by people or animals walking inside it to power a mill

spur wheel
  • Specialized
7.9

A wheel with straight teeth that fit another wheel to send power between parallel shafts

A string instrument that makes sound when a wheel rubs its strings

wheel tree
  • Australian
9.9

An eastern Australian tree with shiny leaves and round clusters of bright red or orange flowers that gives shade

wheel lathe
  • Specialized
9.9

A machine that turns and shapes train wheels to make them smooth

How Big

flywheel
  • Specialized
5 7.2
wagon wheel
7 3.4
cartwheel
1 6.3
wheel
∞ 1.0
caster
  • US
1 3.7

Surface Forms

wheel singular
wheels plural

Etymology

Wheel comes from an old German word hweol meaning 'turn' or 'roll', so it was the name for the round object that turns on an axle and helps things move or steer.