wheelchair

noun

wheel·​chair ˈ(h)wēl-ˌcher How to pronounce wheelchair (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Seated in a wheelchair, Francis appeared and waved his hands. — Phoebe Natanson, ABC News, 23 Mar. 2025 The pope, seated in a wheelchair, waved from the balcony and smiled. — Danielle Wallace, Fox News, 23 Mar. 2025 Escalera stopped near an elderly resident in a wheelchair and held his hands in a position that appeared to imitate holding a gun, according to the release, and the officer shot Escalera in the chest. — Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 20 Mar. 2025 He was then escorted out in a wheelchair as Madison Square Garden staff cleaned the area around his seat — halting the game for 10 minutes before the Knicks ultimately defeated the Heat 116-95. — Dan Perry, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wheelchair

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1684, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wheelchair was circa 1684

Phrases Containing wheelchair

Rhymes for wheelchair

See All Rhymes for wheelchair

Browse Nearby Words

wheel chain
wheelchair
wheelchair ramp
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wheelchair.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wheelchair. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

wheelchair

noun
wheel·​chair -ˌche(ə)r How to pronounce wheelchair (audio)
-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 How to pronounce wheelchair (audio)
: a chair mounted on wheels especially for the use of disabled individuals

More from Merriam-Webster on wheelchair

Nglish: Translation of wheelchair for Spanish Speakers

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