# wheelchair

/ˈhwiɫˌtʃɛɹ/ (US) · /wˈiːltʃeə/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/wheelchair
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. mobility device

noun · CEFR A2

a chair with wheels that people use when they cannot walk easily.

For teachers: a chair mounted on wheels designed for the transportation of a person with a physical disability or injury.

- After his leg surgery, he used a wheelchair to get around the hospital.
- The airport provides a dedicated assistance service for passengers who require a wheelchair to navigate the long distances between gates.

### 2. accessible features

noun · CEFR B1

used to describe things made for people who use wheelchairs.

For teachers: used attributively to describe facilities or equipment designed for or accessible to individuals using wheelchairs.

- The hotel has several wheelchair ramps and wide doors for guests.
- The city council approved a budget to install wheelchair lifts on all public buses by the end of the fiscal year.

Usage: Always placed before another noun.

## Examples

- He uses a wheelchair to get around the house.
- The new museum is fully accessible, with wide ramps and elevators designed for visitors who use a wheelchair.
- Advances in lightweight materials and battery technology have transformed the modern wheelchair into a highly maneuverable tool that grants users significantly more independence in their daily lives.

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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.