behind the wheel

idiomatic phrase

: in the act of driving
I was nervous my first time behind the wheel.
He urged drivers to stop and rest if they feel tired behind the wheel.Yaron Steinbuch
… will start enforcing a requirement for commercial truck drivers travelling between provinces to track their hours behind the wheelKarina Zapata

Examples of behind the wheel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This sponsorship will cover nine races featuring driver Ty Dillon behind the wheel of the No. 10 Chevrolet. Joel Thayer, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025 Chandler Smith will be behind the wheel of their Ford in a attempt to crack the lineup for this year’s Daytona 500. Greg Engle, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025 He will become known simply as Trucker and will lead the fight against Hell behind the wheel of a demon-slaying machine. Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Jan. 2025 Sophia Ross, 22, was pulled over by Sarasota police officers on Nov. 17, 2024, after allegedly stopping at green lights, hitting several curbs, and driving in the wrong lane while behind the wheel of a Jeep, according to a probable cause affidavit reviewed by PEOPLE. Nicole Acosta, People.com, 9 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for behind the wheel 

Word History

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of behind the wheel was in 1906

Dictionary Entries Near behind the wheel

Cite this Entry

“Behind the wheel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/behind%20the%20wheel. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!