# spoke

/ˈspoʊk/ (US) · /spˈəʊk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/spoke
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. past tense of speak

verb · CEFR A1

the past tense of the verb 'speak'.

For teachers: the simple past tense of the irregular verb 'speak'.

- She spoke to her manager about the project yesterday morning.
- The diplomat spoke with measured caution, ensuring that his words could not be misinterpreted by the waiting press corps.

### 2. part of a wheel

noun · CEFR B2

one of the thin bars that connect the centre of a wheel to its outer edge.

For teachers: one of the rods or bars radiating from the hub of a wheel to support the rim.

- The bicycle wheel was wobbly because one of the spokes was broken.
- The artisan carefully fitted each wooden spoke into the hub, ensuring the wagon wheel would remain balanced under heavy loads.

### 3. steering handle

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a handle that sticks out from the steering wheel of a ship.

For teachers: a projecting handle on the outer rim of a ship's steering wheel.

- The captain gripped the spokes of the wheel as the storm grew stronger.
- The helmsman maintained a firm grasp on the wheel's spokes, fighting the heavy swell to keep the vessel on its intended course.

### 4. transportation model

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic · Technical

a route that connects a smaller place to a main central hub.

For teachers: a peripheral location or route connected to a central point in a hub-and-spoke distribution network.

- The airline added a new spoke to its network by flying to the small island.
- The logistics company optimised its hub-and-spoke model to reduce the transit time between regional spokes and the central sorting facility.

## Examples

- A loose spoke on the front wheel caused the bicycle to wobble.
- The mechanic spent an hour tightening every spoke to ensure the wheel remained perfectly straight under pressure.
- The traditional wooden wheel was a marvel of engineering, relying on the precise fit of each spoke into the central hub to distribute the weight of the heavy carriage.

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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.