spoke

1 of 3

ˈspōk 

past tense and archaic past participle of speak

spoke

2 of 3

noun

1

a

: any of the small radiating bars inserted in the hub of a wheel to support the rim

b

: something resembling the spoke of a wheel

2

: any of the projecting handles of a boat's steering wheel

spoke

3 of 3

verb

spoked; spoking

transitive verb

: to furnish with spokes

Examples of spoke in a Sentence

Noun

The stick got caught in the wheel's spokes.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

To manage that heft, there's a Honda Goldwing front end and heavy-duty Hagon wheels with stainless steel spokes. —New Atlas, 4 Nov. 2024

Keep lightweight items secured between the spokes to prevent them from becoming dislodged during the cycle and blocking the water jets or sprayer arms. 5. —Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Oct. 2024

This is because the camera is displayed on the gauge cluster and whenever the steering wheel is turned, the wheel's spokes block the screen. —Matthew MacConnell, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024

The steering wheel possesses an odd spoke design, and there are random switches throughout, ones that were likely made obsolete ages ago due to vacuum and electric actuation. —Peter Nelson, Robb Report, 24 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English spāca; akin to Old High German speihha spoke, Middle Dutch spike spike

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing spoke

• hub-and-spoke

Kids Definition

spoke

1 of 2

ˈspōk 

past and archaic past participle of speak

spoke

2 of 2 noun

1

: one of the small bars extending from the hub of a wheel to support the rim

2

: something resembling the spoke of a wheel