sprocket wheel
- noun
- /ˈsprɒkɪt wiːl/
- Specialized
- The bicycle chain slipped off the sprocket wheel and had to be adjusted.
Examples
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Most motorcycles use a sprocket wheel to drive the rear wheel via a chain.
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Maintenance of the sprocket wheel is essential for ensuring smooth operation of the conveyor system.
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The bicycle's sprocket wheel needs to be replaced.
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Did you check the sprocket wheel for wear?
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A well-maintained sprocket wheel ensures efficient power transfer in a bicycle's drivetrain.
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The mechanic inspected the sprocket wheel for any signs of wear after the long ride.
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To improve performance, it's crucial to clean the sprocket wheel regularly.
Synonyms
A wheel with teeth that moves a chain to turn parts of a bike or machine
A round wheel with teeth that fit into another wheel to make it turn
A round wheel with teeth that fits together with another wheel to move parts or change speed
A round wheel with teeth that fits another to change speed or direction
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly derivable from combining 'sprocket' (a toothed wheel that engages a chain) with 'wheel' (a round rotating object); the compound simply names a specific kind of wheel. This is straightforward compositional semantics common across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily understand the term.
Etymology
The noun sprocket wheel is a thin wheel with small, tooth-like parts called sprockets that catch and pull a chain as it turns. Because those 'teeth' hold the chain, the sprocket wheel is the part that 'drives' other wheels and belts on bikes and machines, so the name tells you its job today.