Ferris wheel

American

[fer-is] / ˈfɛr ɪs /

noun

an amusement ride consisting of a large upright wheel rotating on a fixed stand and having seats around its rim suspended freely so that they remain right side up as they revolve.

Ferris wheel British

/ ˈfɛrɪs /

noun

a fairground wheel having seats freely suspended from its rim; the seats remain horizontal throughout its rotation

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of Ferris wheel

1890–95; named after G. W. G. Ferris (died 1896), American engineer

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Sometimes Dad would take me and Andre to Navy Pier so we could ride the Ferris wheel, eat junk food, and watch tourists all day.

From Literature

The view from the Ferris wheel stretched all the way to Shady Glen.

From Literature

I’m pointing to a drawing of a Ferris wheel in Vegas.

From Literature

“Isn’t there a Ferris wheel on the beach?”

From Los Angeles Times

In the coastal city of Figueira da Foz, a Ferris wheel overturned and several vehicles were hit when part of a roof was torn from a building.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023