freewheel

[free-hweel, -weel]

noun

1. a device in the transmission of a motor vehicle that automatically disengages the drive shaft whenever it begins to turn more rapidly than the engine.

2. a form of rear bicycle wheel that has a device freeing it from the driving mechanism, as when the pedals are stopped in coasting.

verb (used without object)

1. (of a vehicle or its operator) to coast with the wheels disengaged from the driving mechanism.

2. to move or function freely, independently, unconcernedly, or the like (often followed by about, through, around, etc.).

   The two friends freewheeled around the country after graduation.

freewheel

/ ˌfriːˈwiːl /

noun

1. a ratchet device in the rear hub of a bicycle wheel that permits the wheel to rotate freely while the pedals are stationary

2. a device in the transmission of some vehicles that automatically disengages the drive shaft when it rotates more rapidly than the engine shaft, so that the drive shaft can turn freely

verb

1. (intr) to coast in a vehicle or on a bicycle using the freewheel

Word History and Origins

Origin of freewheel¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; free + wheel

Example Sentences

Business in the regions is dominated by the entertainment and tech companies, which can often be more freewheeling because much of the work is done alone and on computers that could be located anywhere.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

And yet for the team behind “Nouvelle Vague,” about the production of Jean-Luc Godard’s radically freewheeling 1960 feature debut, “Breathless,” it kind of did.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Their freewheeling live shows made them a coveted arena act, when few new rock bands can aspire to that.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Pant's slow descent down the dressing-room steps produced a moment of pure theatre, then the way the home openers climbed into the India bowling was freewheeling Bazball.

Read more on BBC

Others media giants have gotten into the more freewheeling online sphere by working with podcasters and YouTubers.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cruise 
• drift 
• sail 
• skate