tire
n. countablen. the thick ring of rubber that fits around a wheel. It is filled with air and helps a car or bike move smoothly on the road.
n. a rubber ring, usually reinforced with steel or fabric and filled with compressed air, fitted around the rim of a wheel to provide traction and absorb shock.
I need to check the air pressure in each tire.
The driver pulled over to the side of the highway because he had a flat tire.
Modern vehicles are equipped with sensors that alert the driver if any tire loses significant pressure, preventing potential accidents caused by blowouts at high speeds.
From Middle English tiren, tirien, teorien, from Old English tȳrian, tēorian (“to fail, cease, become weary, be tired, exhausted; tire, weary, exhaust”), of uncertain origin. Possibly from Proto-West Germanic teuʀōn (“to cease”), which is possibly from Proto-Indo-European dews- (“to fail, be behind, lag”). Compare Ancient Greek δεύομαι (deúomai, “to lack”), Sanskrit दोष (dóṣa, “crime, fault, vice, deficiency”).
Probably from Middle English tir(e) (“equipment, furnshings, ornament”). See the details at tyre.
From Middle English tire, from Old French tirer (“to draw or pull”), akin to English tear (“to rend”).
This spelling is standard in American English; British English uses 'tyre'.
- 01
dog who caught the tire
One who accomplishes a seemingly impossible feat, but does not know what to do next.
- 02
tire fire
A disaster; a chaotic person, thing, or situation.
- 03
tyre kicker
A person who pretends to be interested in purchasing an item (especially a car), but who has no intention of buying it.