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

Braving crossfire, the family evacuated her husband on a wheelchair, maneuvering past explosive devices hidden under rubble by militants. —Taylor Luck, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Jan. 2025

The Palisades and Eaton fires in Los Angeles have moved so fast that people have been stuck in their homes or had to abandon cars and wheelchairs on the side of the road to escape the flames. —Boone Ashworth, WIRED, 10 Jan. 2025

Deputies brought Mullen on a wheelchair into the courtroom. —Cameron MacDonald, The Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2025

Ambulatory wheelchairs ease their way to gates or exits. —Fox News, 8 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1684, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing wheelchair

• wheelchair ramp

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