wheelchair

noun

wheel·​chair ˈ(h)wēl-ˌcher 

: a chair mounted on wheels especially for the use of disabled persons

Examples of wheelchair in a Sentence

He was in a wheelchair for several months after the accident.

Recent Examples on the Web

The History of Assassination Attempts on U.S. Presidents, Including Ronald Reagan’s Near-Fatal Bullet Wound in 1981 Brady's wound left him with permanent disabilities, including speech challenges and partial paralysis that required him to use a wheelchair. —Kyler Alvord, People.com, 9 May 2025

Upon waking up, Haidar was handed what doctors believed to be an ambitious prognosis: one year to use a wheelchair, to move her arms, to eventually learn to walk, first with the help of support bars, then a walker, and then, finally, with only the gentle assistance of a physio’s hand or forearm. —Megan Feringa, New York Times, 2 May 2025

This coming-of-age drama is the story of Melody Brooks, a quick-witted, non-verbal sixth grader with cerebral palsy who uses a wheelchair. —Lynette Rice, Deadline, 1 May 2025

This inspiring, coming-of-age drama is the story of Melody Brooks, a quick-witted, non-verbal sixth grader with cerebral palsy who uses a wheelchair. —Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 1 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1684, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing wheelchair

• wheelchair ramp

Rhymes for wheelchair

• abwehr
• affair
• affaire
• airfare
• altair
• armchair
• aware
• beware
• bugbear
• carfare
• childcare
• compare

Kids Definition

wheelchair

noun

wheel·​chair -ˌche(ə)r 

-ˌcha(ə)r

: a chair with wheels used especially by sick, injured, or disabled people to get about

Medical Definition

wheelchair

noun

wheel·​chair ˈhwē(ə)l-ˌche(ə)r, ˈwē(ə)l-, -ˌcha(ə)r 

: a chair mounted on wheels especially for the use of disabled individuals