wheel - definition and synonyms

noun [countable] 

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  1. 1

    a bicycle/wagon/car wheel

    the front/rear wheels of a car

    on wheels:

    a TV table on wheels

    1. a.


      [plural] very informal a car


  2. 2
    1. a.
      any machine or piece of equipment that is shaped like a wheel, or that has a wheel as its main part
    2. b.

      the wheel


      She had to turn the wheel sharply to avoid the dog.

      take the wheel (=to drive):

      Would you like me to take the wheel for a while?

      at/behind the wheel (=driving):

      It seems he had a heart attack at the wheel.

      I can’t wait to get behind the wheel again.

  3. 3


    the wheels of industry/justice/government:

    The wheels of government grind very slowly.