noun
- a circular frame or disk arranged to revolve on an axis, as on or in vehicles or machinery.
- any machine, apparatus, instrument, etc., shaped like this or having a circular frame, disk, or revolving drum as an essential feature: a potter’s wheel; roulette wheel; spinning wheel.
- steering wheel.
- Nautical.
- a circular frame with an axle connecting to the rudder of a ship, for steering: He took the wheel during the storm.
- a paddle wheel.
- a propeller.
- Informal. a bicycle.
- a round object, decoration, etc.: a wheel of cheese; a design of red wheels and blue squares.
- an old instrument of torture in the form of a circular frame on which the victim was stretched until disjointed.
- a circular firework that revolves rapidly while burning; pinwheel.
- a rotating instrument that Fortune is represented as turning in order to bring about changes or reverses in human affairs.
- wheels,
- moving, propelling, or animating agencies: the wheels of commerce; the wheels of thought.
- Slang.a personal means of transportation, especially a car.
- a cycle, recurring action, or steady progression: the wheel of days and nights.
- a wheeling or circular movement: the intricate wheels of the folk dances.
- (formerly) a movement of troops, ships, etc., drawn up in line, as if turning on a pivot.
- Informal. someone active and influential, as in business, politics, etc.; an important person: a big wheel.