wheeler

noun

wheel·​er ˈ(h)wē-lər 

1

: one that wheels

2

: a draft animal (such as a horse) pulling in the position nearest the front wheels of a wagon

3

: something (such as a vehicle or ship) that has wheels

—used especially in combination

a side-wheeler

18-wheelers

Examples of wheeler in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Eighteen wheelers rumbled past at all hours, and masses of unhoused people camped down the street. —Charles Bock, People.com, 6 Oct. 2024

Are they filled with dread about the prospect of a 18 wheeler AV truck with chemical cargo barreling down the highway at high speeds? —Sabbir Rangwala, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024

Meanwhile, Johnny’s dad, Guy Gaudreau, sat behind the wheel, steering the four wheeler through a grassy area. —Bailey Richards, People.com, 6 Oct. 2024

Pulaski County and the Fayetteville/Springdale, Bentonville area buzz with the roar of traffic as big 16 wheelers and thousands of cars travel down the interstate. —Curtis Varnell, arkansasonline.com, 22 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1683, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing wheeler

• eighteen-wheeler
• four-wheeler
• paddle wheeler
• stern-wheeler
• three-wheeler
• two-wheeler
• wheeler and dealer
• wheeler-dealer

Kids Definition

wheeler

noun

wheel·​er ˈhwē-lər 

ˈwē-

: one of a team of horses that pulls from the position nearest the front wheels of a wagon

Biographical Definition

Wheeler 1 of 2

biographical name (1)

Whee·​ler ˈ(h)wē-lər 

Joseph 1836–1906 American general

Wheeler

2 of 2

biographical name (2)

William Almon 1819–1887 American politician; vice president of the U.S. (1877–81)