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front-wheel drive

American  
[fruhnt hweel, -weel] / ˈfrʌnt ˌʰwil, -ˌwil /

noun

Automotive.
  1. a drive system in which engine power is transmitted through the front wheels only.


Etymology

Origin of front-wheel drive

First recorded in 1925–30

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.

In the 1980s, it investigated problems associated with front-wheel drive cars made by General Motors and complaints about rear brakes locking up.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 9, 2025

In other words, the trains operate like an all-wheel drive rather than just a front-wheel drive.

From Science Daily • Jun. 19, 2024

The 2025 Camry will combine a 2.5-liter gasoline engine with an electric drive system tuned to deliver more power in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions of the car, Toyota said.

From Reuters • Nov. 15, 2023

The standard front-wheel drive Equinox EV will get 210 horsepower and 242 pound-feet of torque, while the AWD versions will gallop at 290 horsepower and 346 pound-feet of torque.

From The Verge • Sep. 8, 2022

The base engine in the 2022 Trailblazer is a turbocharged 137-horsepower three-cylinder engine, also with front-wheel drive.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 7, 2022

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