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wheel

n. · v.
US //ˈhwiɫ// UK //wˈiːl// wheel
  1. 1 circular object for movement (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    a round object that turns around a center point to help a vehicle move or a machine work.

    a circular component that rotates on an axle, used to facilitate movement or to transmit power in machinery.

    Example

    The bicycle has two wheels made of metal and rubber.

    Example

    The heavy cart was difficult to move because one of its wooden wheels had become stuck in the deep mud.
  2. 2 steering wheel (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    the round handle you use to steer a car or a ship.

    the steering wheel of a vehicle or the helm of a ship, used to control direction.

    Example

    Keep both hands on the wheel while you are driving.

    Example

    The captain stood at the wheel, navigating the vessel through the narrow channel as the storm approached.
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  1. 3 an influential person (n.)
    C1 Advanced Informal

    an important or powerful person in an organization.

    an individual possessing significant power or influence within a specific hierarchy or social circle.

    Example

    His uncle is a big wheel in the local government.

    Example

    She managed to secure the contract by networking with the big wheels of the tech industry at the annual conference.
  2. 4 a round of cheese (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Cooking

    a large, round block of cheese.

    a whole, uncut portion of cheese formed into a cylindrical shape.

    Example

    The shop sells a whole wheel of Parmesan cheese for a high price.

    Example

    The deli displayed a massive wheel of aged cheddar on the counter to attract customers.
  3. 5 to push something on wheels (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to move someone or something that is sitting on wheels.

    to transport a person or object using a wheeled vehicle or device, such as a trolley or wheelchair.

    Example

    The nurse will wheel the patient into the operating room.

    Example

    The waiters began to wheel the dessert trolleys through the dining room, offering a variety of cakes to the guests.
  4. 6 to turn or pivot (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to turn around quickly or move in a circle.

    to turn or pivot suddenly on the spot, or to move in a circular path.

    Example

    The birds began to wheel in the sky above the field.

    Example

    He wheeled around to face his accuser, his expression shifting from surprise to anger in an instant.
Origin

From Middle English whel, from Old English hwēol, from Proto-West Germanic hwehwl, from Proto-Germanic hwehwlą, hweulō, from Proto-Indo-European kʷekʷlóm, kʷékʷlos, kʷékʷléh₂, reduplication of *kʷel- (“to turn”) and a suffix (literally "(the thing that) turns and turns"). See also West Frisian tsjil, Dutch wiel, Danish hjul; also Tocharian B kokale (“cart, wagon”), Ancient Greek κύκλος (kúklos, “cycle, wheel”), Avestan 𐬗𐬀𐬑𐬭𐬀 (caxra), Sanskrit चक्र (cakrá); and Latin colō (“to till, cultivate”), Tocharian A and Tocharian B käl- (“to bear; bring”), Ancient Greek πέλω (pélō, “to come into existence, become”), Old Church Slavonic коло (kolo, “wheel”), Albanian sjell (“to bring, carry, turn around”), Avestan 𐬗𐬀𐬭𐬀𐬌𐬙𐬌 (caraⁱti, “it circulates”), Sanskrit चरति (cárati, “it moves, wanders”). Doublet of chakra, chakram, charkha, chukker, cycle, cyclus, and kike.

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