Definition

1. Noun:

   • A circular object that rotates on an axle: A simple machine that is fundamental to most forms of transport and machinery, allowing for smooth motion.
   • A steering wheel: A circular device used by a driver, pilot, or helmsman to control the direction of a vehicle, vessel, or aircraft.
   • A wheel as part of a system or process: Used metaphorically to refer to the forces or mechanisms that drive a complex system, such as government or industry.
   • An instrument of torture: Historically, a circular frame on which a victim was stretched and mutilated.
   • A gambling device: Specifically, the rotating disc used in games like roulette.

2. Verb:

   • To move on or as if on wheels: To transport or be transported using wheels.
   • To ride a bicycle: To travel by bicycle.
   • To turn or pivot sharply: To change direction by rotating, as if around a central point.
   • To cause to turn or rotate: To push or guide something with wheels in a circular motion.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The front wheel of my bicycle is flat. (The circular, rotating part at the front of my bicycle has no air.)
  • He gripped the wheel tightly as he drove around the curve. (He held the steering device firmly to control the car's direction.)
  • The wheels of justice turn slowly. (The processes of the legal system operate at a slow pace.)

• Verb:

  • She wheeled the luggage cart through the airport. (She pushed the cart with wheels through the terminal.)
  • He wheels to work every day. (He rides his bicycle to work daily.)
  • The birds wheeled overhead in the sky. (The birds turned in a circular pattern in the air above.)

Advanced Usage

• "to wheel and deal": To engage in clever, shrewd, or sometimes unscrupulous business or political negotiations.
  • He made his fortune by wheeling and dealing in the stock market.
• "to be at/behind the wheel": To be the driver or the person in control of a situation.
  • With a new CEO at the wheel, the company's strategy changed.
• "to put one's shoulder to the wheel": To start working hard on a difficult task.
  • If we all put our shoulders to the wheel, we can finish this project on time.

Variants and Related Words

• Wheeled (adj): Equipped with wheels.
  • A wheeled suitcase is very convenient for travel.
• Wheeler (n): Often used in compounds to describe vehicles by the number of wheels (e.g., for a bicycle or motorcycle) or a person who wheels.
• Wheelhouse (n): Literally, a shelter for the steering wheel on a ship; figuratively, one's area of expertise or comfort ().

Synonyms

• Noun: Disc, circle, ring, steering device, helm.
• Verb: Roll, push, trundle, rotate, spin, pivot, turn.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Wheel around/about: To turn around suddenly, often to face a different direction.
  • She wheeled around when she heard her name called.
• Wheel in/out: To bring something in or out on a wheeled device; (informal) to introduce or produce someone or something, often in a showy manner.
  • They wheeled in a large television for the presentation.

Related Idioms

• "Wheels within wheels": A situation that is very complex, with hidden influences or complicated interconnections.
  • The decision took so long because there were wheels within wheels in the committee.
• "The wheel has come/turned full circle": A situation has returned to its original state or position after a series of events.
  • After twenty years abroad, he returned to his hometown—the wheel had turned full circle.
• "A fifth wheel": An unnecessary or superfluous person or thing.
  • I didn't know anyone at the party and felt like a fifth wheel.

Noun

1. a wheeled vehicle that has two wheels and is moved by foot pedals
2. an instrument of torture that stretches or disjoints or mutilates victims
3. game equipment consisting of a wheel with slots that is used for gambling; the wheel rotates horizontally and players bet on which slot the roulette ball will stop in
4. a circular helm to control the rudder of a vessel
5. forces that provide energy and direction
   • the wheels of government began to turn
6. a handwheel that is used for steering
7. a simple machine consisting of a circular frame with spokes (or a solid disc) that can rotate on a shaft or axle (as in vehicles or other machines)

Verb

1. ride a bicycle
2. move along on or as if on wheels or a wheeled vehicle
   • The President's convoy rolled past the crowds
3. wheel somebody or something
4. change directions as if revolving on a pivot
   • They wheeled their horses around and left