wheel
wheel — noun
1. a round, flat part that turns around a central bar and is used to make vehicles,
a round, flat part that turns around a central bar and is used to make vehicles, machines, or other equipment move.
Vivek replaced the broken wheel on his bicycle before the weekend race.
collocation: replace a wheel
The cart's old wooden wheel creaked loudly as it rolled down the dirt road.
collocation: wooden wheel / cart wheel
Dahlia noticed that her suitcase's front wheel was stuck and would not turn.
The train wheels made a steady rhythmic sound as it passed through the station.
A potter's wheel spins around while the artist shapes the soft clay with both hands.
文法句型
the + noun
a + adjective + wheel
wheels of + noun
用法筆記
Frequently used in compound nouns such as 'bicycle wheel', 'car wheel', 'wagon wheel', and 'potter's wheel'. The plural form 'wheels' may refer to all four wheels of a vehicle collectively.
常見錯誤
2. having round parts underneath that allow an object to be moved by pushing or pul
having round parts underneath that allow an object to be moved by pushing or pulling instead of lifting.
The hospital bed is on wheels so nurses can move patients between rooms without difficulty.
pattern: [object] on wheels
Nikos bought a small kitchen cart on wheels to store his pots and pans.
The market stalls are all on wheels, so vendors can pack up quickly.
Liang's office chair on wheels squeaked every time he rolled across the tiled floor.
文法句型
[noun] + on wheels
用法筆記
This sense commonly appears in the phrase 'on wheels', placed after a noun to describe furniture, equipment, or containers. Unlike sense 1, it is not a standalone noun for a single wheel but describes the whole object's design.
3. a circular control inside a car, lorry, boat, or other vehicle which the operato
a circular control inside a car, lorry, boat, or other vehicle which the operator rotates with their hands to steer.
Greta kept both hands on the steering wheel while driving through heavy rain.
collocation: hands on the steering wheel
Tariq adjusted the steering wheel of his lorry before setting off on the long journey.
The driving instructor told Marta to keep the steering wheel steady while changing gears.
Yael let go of the steering wheel to turn up the radio for a moment.
The old truck's steering wheel was covered in cracked leather that felt rough to touch.
- steering wheel
full term; use when clarity is needed, e.g. for learner drivers
文法句型
the + steering wheel
at the wheel
behind the wheel
grip/turn/hold the steering wheel
用法筆記
Often shortened to just 'the wheel' in informal speech, as in 'Who was at the wheel?' meaning 'Who was driving?' The phrase 'behind the wheel' means 'driving a vehicle'.
常見錯誤
4. a large round object with handles on the outside that the captain or sailor turn
a large round object with handles on the outside that the captain or sailor turns to guide a ship through the water.
The captain stood at the ship's wheel and steered the boat through the narrow channel.
collocation: at the ship's wheel
Indra turned the heavy wooden wheel to the left to avoid rocks near the shore.
A polished brass wheel stood on the deck of the old ship in the museum.
Yael took hold of the wheel firmly and guided the yacht toward the open sea.
- helm
the more technical nautical term for the wheel or tiller that steers a ship
文法句型
the + wheel
at the wheel
take the wheel
turn the wheel
用法筆記
Often called the 'helm' in nautical terminology. The phrase 'at the wheel' can refer to both a car's steering wheel and a ship's wheel, so the context tells the listener which vehicle is being discussed.
5. a car or other motor vehicle, referred to informally in everyday conversation, e
a car or other motor vehicle, referred to informally in everyday conversation, especially when speaking about owning or buying one.
Tariq took his new wheels for a drive along the coastal road last Saturday afternoon.
informal register: 'wheels' meaning 'car'
Dahlia said she would not buy used wheels without a mechanic checking the engine first.
phrase: set of wheels
After saving for two years, Christopher finally got himself a decent set of wheels.
Caio washed and polished his shiny wheels every Sunday morning without fail.
文法句型
wheels (plural for a car)
用法筆記
Almost always used in the plural form 'wheels' or the phrase 'a set of wheels'. Common in North American informal speech. Not appropriate for formal writing.
常見錯誤
6. a large piece of cheese that has been made into a round, flat shape, or the circ
a large piece of cheese that has been made into a round, flat shape, or the circular form in which some cheeses are produced and sold.
The shop displayed a whole wheel of aged cheddar cheese on the wooden counter.
collocation: wheel of cheese
Marta cut a thin slice from the wheel of Swiss cheese for her sandwich.
A large wheel of Parmesan sat in the deli corner waiting to be grated.
The cheese maker pressed fresh curds into a wooden mold to form a perfect wheel.
- round
a more general term for any circular food item, not specific to cheese
文法句型
a wheel of + cheese
whole wheel
用法筆記
Used specifically for cheeses such as cheddar, Gouda, Emmental, and Parmesan that are traditionally pressed into round shapes. Contrast with 'block' or 'wedge', which describe rectangular or triangular portions.
wheel — verb
1. to take hold of something fitted with wheels and guide it along a surface to a d
to take hold of something fitted with wheels and guide it along a surface to a different position.
Tariro wheeled the luggage cart across the airport terminal toward the check-in counter.
pattern: wheel + object + direction phrase
The nurse wheeled the patient's bed into the examination room and locked the brakes.
Vivek wheeled his bicycle through the narrow hallway because there was no room to ride.
The porter wheeled a heavy trolley of boxes from the store to the delivery truck.
Christopher wheeled the rubbish bin out to the pavement for the morning collection.
- carry
to lift and transport without using wheels
文法句型
wheel + object + direction/preposition
wheel + object + in/out/into/through
用法筆記
The object must be something that has wheels or is on a wheeled platform (trolley, cart, bicycle, wheelchair, pram). Not used for carrying objects that lack wheels — use 'carry' or 'lift' instead.
常見錯誤
2. to travel or move by using a wheelchair, bicycle, scooter, or other wheeled devi
to travel or move by using a wheelchair, bicycle, scooter, or other wheeled device that you ride on.
After the accident, Liang had to wheel around the office in a small chair.
Tariq learned to wheel confidently along the pavement in his new wheelchair.
pattern: wheel + direction/location
The children wheeled down the hill on bicycles, laughing as the wind blew past.
Indra wheels to the market every morning on an old scooter his grandfather gave him.
Dahlia wheeled slowly along the hospital corridor in her wheelchair after the surgery.
文法句型
wheel + direction/preposition
wheel + along/across/down
用法筆記
Unlike sense 1 (transitive, pushing an object), this sense is intransitive — the subject is the person riding the wheeled device. Common with wheelchairs, but also used for bicycles and scooters in informal speech.
常見錯誤
3. (of a bird, aircraft, or other flying object) to fly in repeated circular paths
(of a bird, aircraft, or other flying object) to fly in repeated circular paths above a particular place.
A hawk wheeled slowly above the field, searching for movement among the tall grass.
pattern: wheel above/over [place]
The helicopter wheeled around the mountain peak before landing on the small platform.
Seagulls wheeled in the air above the fishing boats, hoping for scraps of food.
Several drones wheeled noisily over the crowd at the outdoor music festival all afternoon.
文法句型
wheel + above/over/around + location
用法筆記
Typically used for birds of prey (hawks, eagles, vultures) and aircraft circling before landing. Not used for straight-line flight. The subject is always something that flies.
4. to turn your body or head around quickly and sharply, usually in reaction to a s
to turn your body or head around quickly and sharply, usually in reaction to a sound, movement, or sudden event.
When Caio heard his name called, he wheeled around to see who was shouting.
pattern: wheel around
Marta wheeled round suddenly when she felt a tap on her shoulder from behind.
Tariro wheeled about to face the unexpected noise coming from the dark alley.
The teacher wheeled around and caught the student drawing on the whiteboard without permission.
Greta wheeled around in her office chair to face the colleague at the door.
- spin around
can describe any fast turning; 'wheel around' specifically implies a person turning their whole body
- swivel
to turn on a fixed point; often used for turning in a chair or on the spot
- whirl around
more dramatic and faster turning; slightly more literary
文法句型
wheel + around/round/about
用法筆記
Almost always paired with an adverb of direction: 'around', 'round', or 'about'. 'Wheel around' is the most common form in all varieties of English; 'wheel round' is more common in British English. The action implies speed and surprise.