# castor

/ˈkæstɝ/ (US) · /kˈɑːstɐ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/castor
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

## Usage notes

- Commonly spelled 'caster' in American English; 'castor' is the standard British spelling.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.