Ferris wheel

American  

[fer-is] / ˈfɛr ɪs /

noun

• Ferris wheels
  plural

1. 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.

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Ferris wheel British  

/ ˈfɛrɪs /

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• Ferris wheels
  plural

Etymology

Origin of Ferris wheel

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Ferris wheel

And theoretically fairgoers could have had fun on the Ferris wheel, though I didn’t see anyone lining up for that.

From Slate ● Jul. 1, 2026

The only ride was a massive Ferris wheel that didn’t work half the time.

From Salon ● Jun. 30, 2026

A glowing Ferris wheel churned nearby, offering a bird’s-eye view of the main stage.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 8, 2026

Across the water, Ain Dubai -- the world's tallest Ferris wheel -- has stopped turning, and the Madame Tussauds wax museum below is drawing few visitors despite hefty discounts.

From Barron's ● Mar. 13, 2026

When they pulled into the Fair Grounds, they could hear music and see the Ferris wheel turning in the sky.

From "Charlotte's Web" by E.B. White