wheels
[wˈilz] /ˈ(h)wēl How to pronounce wheel (audio)/ (ame, mw)
wheels — noun
1. a round frame or disc mounted on a central bar (axle) so that it can rotate, all
a round frame or disc mounted on a central bar (axle) so that it can rotate, allowing vehicles, carts, or machines to move
Liam replaced the flat wheel on his bicycle before the race.
The old wooden cart had iron bands around each wheel.
collocation: wooden cart / iron bands around a wheel
Emma watched the potter shape clay on a spinning wheel.
A loose wheel on the luggage cart made a loud squeaking noise.
The factory machines have large steel wheels that drive the conveyor belts.
用法筆記
Often treated as a count noun ('three wheels'), but the plural form 'wheels' is very common when referring to vehicles generally.
常見錯誤
2. having wheels fixed underneath so that the object can be pushed, pulled, or move
having wheels fixed underneath so that the object can be pushed, pulled, or moved along a surface
Amina bought a large suitcase on wheels for her trip to Tokyo.
collocation: suitcase on wheels
The hospital beds are all on wheels so nurses can move patients easily.
Ryo's desk chair on wheels rolled across the room when he pushed off.
The food cart on wheels outside the station sells noodles and dumplings.
- wheeled
used before a noun — 'a wheeled cart' rather than 'a cart on wheels'
文法句型
on wheels
用法筆記
Used only as a postmodifier ('a table on wheels'), not before a noun. The alternative form 'wheeled' (e.g. 'a wheeled suitcase') is also common.
常見錯誤
3. the round control inside a car, bus, or truck that a driver grips and rotates to
the round control inside a car, bus, or truck that a driver grips and rotates to guide the vehicle left or right
Noah kept both hands on the wheel as he drove down the mountain road.
collocation: hands on the wheel
Fatima adjusted her seat so she could reach the wheel comfortably.
The driving instructor told Emily to keep the wheel steady on the straight stretch.
Jack took the wheel while his sister checked the map on her phone.
用法筆記
In driving contexts, 'the wheel' almost always means the steering wheel rather than a road wheel. The phrase 'behind the wheel' means 'driving a car'.
常見錯誤
❌ 'She was behind the wheel of a truck.' (correct usage but learners might think it means 'behind the car') — The idiom 'behind the wheel' means 'driving' or 'in control of the vehicle.'
4. a large circular handle on a ship or boat that is operated by the captain or a c
a large circular handle on a ship or boat that is operated by the captain or a crew member to guide the vessel by moving the rudder
The captain stood at the wheel and steered the ferry through the harbour entrance.
phrase: at the wheel = steering the ship
A young sailor gripped the ship's wheel tightly as the storm waves hit the deck.
The old fishing boat had a wooden wheel polished smooth by years of use.
Elena took the wheel while the first mate checked their position on the chart.
- helm
a more technical term for the steering mechanism of a ship, including the wheel or tiller
用法筆記
The phrase 'at the wheel' extends metaphorically to mean 'in charge' of any project or situation, not just a ship.
5. a car or other road vehicle — used informally in the plural form to mean persona
a car or other road vehicle — used informally in the plural form to mean personal transportation
Benjamin just got his driver's licence and is saving up for a set of wheels.
informal phrase: a set of wheels
Grace asked her roommate, 'Can I borrow your wheels this weekend to move my furniture?'
After the accident, Kenji needed new wheels to get to his job at the hospital.
Nice wheels! — Lucas shouted as his neighbour parked a shiny red convertible.
Without wheels in Los Angeles, getting to work is nearly impossible.
用法筆記
Always used in the plural form. Cannot be used in the singular ('a wheel') to mean a car. Very common in casual North American and British conversation. In even more informal peer-to-peer settings, 'wheels' carries a slangy, admiring tone (e.g. 'Nice wheels!'). The term 'ride' is a close synonym with a similar register.
常見錯誤
6. a bicycle — a vehicle with two wheels that you ride by pushing pedals
a bicycle — a vehicle with two wheels that you ride by pushing pedals
Rin rode her wheels to the library every morning before class.
Bao fixed a flat tyre on his wheels and cycled to meet his friends.
informal: 'wheels' = bicycle
The children decorated their wheels with colourful streamers for the parade.
Aisha and her brother raced their wheels along the riverside path after school.
用法筆記
Less common than using 'wheels' for 'car'. The phrase 'on two wheels' can describe riding a bicycle or motorcycle.
7. a spinning disc divided into numbered or coloured sections, used in games of cha
a spinning disc divided into numbered or coloured sections, used in games of chance such as roulette
The roulette wheel spun faster and faster as the gamblers watched the silver ball bounce.
collocation: roulette wheel
At the casino, a large golden wheel determined the winners of the charity draw.
Olivia watched the wheel slow down and the ball drop into slot number seven.
The game show had a giant wheel that contestants spun to win prizes.
- roulette wheel
the specific type used in the casino game roulette
用法筆記
Most commonly refers to a roulette wheel. Can also describe prize wheels at carnivals or game shows.
8. the forces, systems, or people that control how an organization, country, or pro
the forces, systems, or people that control how an organization, country, or process operates and moves forward
The wheels of government turn slowly when new policies are being drafted.
phrase: the wheels of government
Mira set the wheels in motion by submitting the project proposal to the board.
phrase: set the wheels in motion = start a process
The wheels of justice had finally begun to move after years of investigation.
Kwame oiled the wheels of the negotiation by offering a compromise on the budget.
用法筆記
Always used in figurative expressions. Common collocations include 'wheels of government/justice/industry/commerce.' The verb 'set in motion' or 'oil' often accompanies this sense.
wheels — verb
- wheelspresent simple I / you / we / they
- wheelses3rd person singular
- wheelsing-ing form
- wheelsedpast simple
1. to move something with wheels by pushing or pulling it, steering it in a desired
to move something with wheels by pushing or pulling it, steering it in a desired direction
Henry wheeled his suitcase through the crowded train station.
The nurse wheeled the patient from the emergency room to the ward.
Ethan wheeled the heavy trolley of books into the storage room.
After the party, Amelia wheeled the leftover food cart back to the kitchen.
文法句型
wheel + object + direction
用法筆記
The direct object is the thing being pushed (not the vehicle pushing it). Frequently paired with direction adverbs: wheel in, wheel out, wheel away.
常見錯誤
2. to fly in a repeated circular pattern through the air — used especially of birds
to fly in a repeated circular pattern through the air — used especially of birds, insects, or aircraft
Seagulls wheeled overhead as the fishing boats returned to the harbour.
collocation: wheel overhead (birds)
Jacob watched the hawk wheel in the sky above the valley looking for prey.
Dragonflies wheeled above the pond, their wings glinting in the afternoon sun.
The helicopter wheeled above the burning forest before dropping water.
文法句型
wheel overhead
wheel around
用法筆記
Describes a smooth, graceful circling motion. For more frantic or irregular movement, use 'circle' or 'fly around' instead.
3. to turn around suddenly or change direction sharply, or to make something turn i
to turn around suddenly or change direction sharply, or to make something turn in this way
When Isabella heard her name called, she wheeled around to see who was behind her.
collocation: wheel around = turn suddenly
The car wheeled sharply left to avoid a dog that ran into the street.
Samuel wheeled his chair around to face the computer screen.
The cyclist wheeled about and headed back the way she had come.
文法句型
wheel around
wheel + object + around
用法筆記
Often used with 'around' or 'about' to emphasise the sudden change of direction. The intransitive form ('he wheeled around') describes a person's body turn; the transitive form ('she wheeled the trolley') describes pushing something on wheels to change its direction.
4. to travel in a vehicle that moves on wheels, such as a car, bus, or bicycle
to travel in a vehicle that moves on wheels, such as a car, bus, or bicycle
Our family wheeled down the highway towards the coast for summer vacation.
The delivery truck wheeled along the narrow country road at a steady pace.
Emma and her father wheeled through the countryside on their bicycles all afternoon.
The old bus wheezed and groaned as it wheeled up the steep mountain pass.
文法句型
wheel along
wheel down
用法筆記
Less common than 'drive' or 'ride.' Often used in narrative or descriptive writing to suggest smooth, steady motion.