Word
castor
Phoneticscas·tor, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈkæstɝ/
UK/kˈɑːstɐ/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a small wheel fixed to the bottom of a piece of furniture. It allows you to move heavy things like chairs or tables easily across the floor.
n. a small, swivelling wheel attached to the base of furniture or heavy equipment to facilitate multidirectional movement.
Examples
“One castor on my office chair is broken.”
“The heavy dining table is fitted with castors so it can be moved aside for cleaning.”
“Industrial-strength castors are essential for stage equipment, as they must support significant weight while allowing for silent and fluid transitions during a live performance.”
Examples
simple
“One castor on my office chair is broken.”
contextual
“The heavy dining table is fitted with castors so it can be moved aside for cleaning.”
complex
“Industrial-strength castors are essential for stage equipment, as they must support significant weight while allowing for silent and fluid transitions during a live performance.”
Usage
Commonly spelled 'caster' in American English; 'castor' is the standard British spelling.
Real-World Examples
“Medical experts told the Guardian there was no evidence castor oil compresses did anything to improve any of those conditions.” “The good news is that castor oil can be an effective laxative, though it can also come with side effects like nausea and vomiting.” Etymology
From Ancient Greek Κάστωρ (Kástōr), from Ancient Greek κάστωρ (kástōr, “beaver”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/castor