Definition of “wheel” - English Dictionary

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“wheel” in English

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wheelnoun

uk ​ /wiːl/ us ​ /wiːl/

A2 [ C ] a circular object connected at the centre to a bar, used for making vehicles or parts of machines move:

I got my bag caught in the wheel of my bicycle.
He lost control of his car when a front/rear wheel hit a rock as he approached the first bend.
See also
Ferris wheel
flywheel
waterwheel
on wheels

› Something that is on wheels has wheels under it so that it can be pulled or pushed along:

My suitcase is on wheels so that makes life a little easier.
I bought my niece one of those toy dogs on wheels.
the wheel

B2 a steering wheel (= a wheel inside a vehicle that the driver turns to make the vehicle go in a particular direction):

Keep your hands on the wheel!
I never feel safe with Richard at/behind the wheel (= driving).
Do you think you could take the wheel (= drive) for a couple of hours?

› [ C ] a wooden or metal wheel that is turned to make a ship go in a particular direction

wheels [ plural ] old-fashioned informal

› a car:

I've got to get some wheels - the buses are way too slow!

More examples

Thesaurus: synonyms and related words

Idiom(s)

a fifth/third wheel
set the wheels in motion
wheels within wheels

wheelverb

uk ​ /wiːl/ us ​ /wiːl/

wheel verb (PUSH)

› [ T usually + adv/prep ] to push an object that has wheels so that it moves in a particular direction:

I saw her last night wheeling a buggy along Green Lane.
Halfway through the talk someone wheeled in a trolley laden with drinks.
Doctors put her on a respirator and wheeled her downstairs to intensive care.

Thesaurus: synonyms and related words

wheel verb (FLY IN CIRCLES)

› [ I ] to fly repeatedly in a circular pattern:

She watched a flock of seagulls wheeling high above her.

Thesaurus: synonyms and related words

wheel verb (TURN AROUND)

› [ I ] US to turn round quickly:

She suddenly wheeled and looked directly at me.
Mike wheeled on Tom and started shouting.

Phrasal verb(s)

wheel sth out
wheel round

(Definition of “wheel” from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

“wheel” in American English

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wheelnoun [ C ]

us ​ /hwil, wil/

wheel noun [ C ] (ROUND OBJECT)

› a circular object, connected at the center to a bar, that is used for making vehicles or parts of machines move:

the wheel of a bicycle

› The wheel refers to a steering wheel (= wheel in a vehicle that you turn to make the vehicle go left or right):

I never feel safe with Richard behind the wheel (= driving).
Would you mind taking the wheel (= driving) for a couple of hours?

wheelverb

us ​ /hwil, wil/

wheel verb (CHANGE DIRECTION)

› [ I always + adv/prep ] to turn around quickly:

She wheeled around and slapped his face.

wheel verb (ROUND OBJECT)

› [ T always + adv/prep ] to push or pull an object with wheels under it:

She was wheeling a stroller in the park.

(Definition of “wheel” from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

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