Dictionary
1wheel
noun, often attributive \ˈhwēl, ˈwēl\
: one of the round parts underneath a car, wagon, etc., that rolls and allows something to move
: a hard, round object that turns and causes machinery or a mechanical device to move
: something that is round like a wheel or that turns like a wheel
Full Definition of WHEEL
1
: a circular frame of hard material that may be solid, partly solid, or spoked and that is capable of turning on an axle
2
: a contrivance or apparatus having as its principal part a wheel: as a : a chiefly medieval instrument of torture designed for mutilating a victim (as by stretching or disjointing) b : bicycle c : any of many revolving disks or drums used as gambling paraphernalia d : potter's wheel e : steering wheel
3
a : an imaginary turning wheel symbolizing the inconstancy of fortune b : a recurring course, development, or action : cycle
4
: something (as a round flat cheese) resembling a wheel in shape
5
a : a curving or circular movement b : a rotation or turn usually about an axis or center; specifically : a turning movement of troops or ships in line in which the units preserve alignment and relative positions as they change direction
6
a : a moving or essential part of something compared to a machine <the wheels of government> b : a directing or controlling force c : a person of importance especially in an organization <a big wheel>
7
: the refrain or burden of a song
8
a : a circuit of theaters or places of entertainment b : a sports league
9
plural slang : a wheeled vehicle; especially : automobile
See wheel defined for English-language learners
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Origin of WHEEL
Middle English, from Old English hweogol, hwēol; akin to Old Norse hvēl wheel, Greek kyklos circle, wheel, Sanskrit cakra, Latin colere to cultivate, inhabit, Sanskrit carati he moves, wanders
First Known Use: before 12th century
Related to WHEEL
Other Mechanical Engineering Terms
2wheel
verb
: to move (someone or something) on a vehicle that has wheels
: to push (something) that has wheels on it
: to turn quickly and face a different direction
Full Definition of WHEEL
intransitive verb
1
: to turn on or as if on an axis : revolve
2
: to change direction as if revolving on a pivot <the battalion would have wheeled to the flank — Walter Bernstein> <her mind will wheel around to the other extreme — Liam O'Flaherty> <wheeled to face her opponent>
3
: to move or extend in a circle or curve <birds in wheeling flight> <valleys where young cotton wheeled slowly in fanlike rows — William Faulkner>
transitive verb
1
: to cause to turn on or as if on an axis : rotate
2
: to convey or move on or as if on wheels or in a wheeled vehicle <wheeled the patient back to his room> <wheeled the car into the driveway> <wheel in the experts>
3
: to cause to change direction as if revolving on a pivot
4
: to make or perform in a circle or curve
— wheel and deal
: to make deals or do business especially shrewdly or briskly
See wheel defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of WHEEL
13th century
WHEEL Defined for Kids
1wheel
noun \ˈhwēl, ˈwēl\
Definition of WHEEL for Kids
1
: a disk or circular frame that can turn on a central point
2
: something that is round <a wheel of cheese>
3
: steering wheel <His hands tightly gripped the wheel.>
4
: something having a wheel as its main part <a spinning wheel>
5
wheels plural : moving power : necessary parts <the wheels of government>
— wheeled \ˈhwēld, wēld\ adjective
2wheel
verb
wheeledwheel·ing
Definition of WHEEL for Kids
1
: to carry or move on wheels or in a vehicle with wheels
2
: rotate 1 <Seagulls wheeled above the boat.>
3
: to change direction as if turning on a central point <I wheeled and faced them.>
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