plural
wheels
plural
wheels
Britannica Dictionary definition of WHEEL
1
[count]
a
:
one of the round parts underneath a car, wagon, etc., that rolls and allows something to move
-
The car's rear wheels started to spin on the icy road.
-
the wheels of a train/airplane
-
a bicycle wheel
-
a suitcase with wheels on the bottom
—
see also training wheels
b
:
a hard, round object that turns and causes machinery or a mechanical device to move
—
sometimes used figuratively
—
see also flywheel, paddle wheel, waterwheel
2
[count]
:
steering wheel
-
She fell asleep at the wheel. [=she fell asleep while she was driving]
-
He got behind the wheel [=he sat in the driver's seat] and sped off.
-
I was nervous my first time behind the wheel. [=my first time driving a car]
-
My sister offered to take the wheel. [=offered to drive]
4
[count]
a
:
an essential or functioning part of an organization, process, etc.
—
usually plural
-
the wheels of government
-
They hoped that the tax cuts would grease the wheels of the economy. [=would help the economy work better]
-
With today's announcement, she has set the wheels in motion for a run for the presidency. [=she has begun to run for president]
b
informal
:
an important person in an organization
5
wheels
[plural]
slang
:
car
a/the squeaky wheel gets the grease/oil
— used to say that someone who complains or causes problems is more likely to receive attention or help than someone who stays quiet and does not cause problems
spin your wheels
—
see 1spin
wheels come/fall off
informal
◊ If the wheels come/fall off, someone or something fails in a sudden or unexpected way.
wheels within wheels
:
a situation that is complex and difficult to deal with because it involves many different things
2
wheel
/ˈwiːl/
verb
wheels;
wheeled;
wheeling
wheels;
wheeled;
wheeling
Britannica Dictionary definition of WHEEL
1
[+ object]
a
:
to move (someone or something) on a vehicle that has wheels
—
sometimes used figuratively
b
:
to push (something) that has wheels on it
—
sometimes used figuratively
2
[no object]
:
to turn quickly and face a different direction
3
[no object]
:
to move in a circle or curve
wheel and deal
:
to make deals or agreements in business or politics in a skillful and sometimes dishonest way
—
see also wheeler-dealer