wheelchair

American  

[weel-chair, hweel-] / ˈwilˌtʃɛər, ˈʰwil- /

noun

wheelchairs plural

1. a chair mounted on wheels for use by persons who cannot walk.

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wheelchair British  

/ ˈwiːlˌtʃɛə /

noun

1. med a special chair mounted on large wheels, for use by invalids or others for whom walking is impossible or temporarily inadvisable

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• wheelchairs
  plural

Etymology

Origin of wheelchair

First recorded in 1690–1700; wheel + chair

Explanation

A wheelchair is a device people use to get around independently if they are unable to walk. You can easily navigate sidewalks, businesses, and schools in a wheelchair, as long as there are appropriate ramps and elevators available. A wheelchair is just what it sounds like: a chair with wheels. When people have injuries or conditions that don't allow them to use their legs for walking, using a wheelchair gives them a new kind of mobility. While the earliest wheelchairs had to be pushed by another person, today you can propel a wheelchair yourself, either manually, by pushing the wheels to move forward, or using electricity.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

wheelchair wheelchairs

She was very active when she worked as an army doctor, but since using a wheelchair after an accident she has struggled to access shops and events.

From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026

She said: "It narrows the pavement to the point that if you're using a pushchair or a wheelchair you can't easily get past."

From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026

She added the charity recommended at least two metres of space for wheelchair users or guide dog owners to be able to pass one another.

From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026

However, disability charities have said the practice makes streets harder to navigate for wheelchair users and people with limited sight.

From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026

His wheelchair faced the back of the cage, so he could not look out into the room.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson

Everitt agrees that hot weather "affects many children with special needs", especially those who use wheelchairs, like Amelia.

From BBC ● Jun. 22, 2026

"I managed to find a witness who said they were chatting away - there were no wheelchairs, no crutches, and John was able to communicate," Gibson said.

From BBC ● May 16, 2026

Elders in wheelchairs sit in the sun beside decommissioned shopping malls, whose main purpose seems to be to hold adult daycare centers for senior citizens.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 12, 2026

Then the truck rattles off down to bus stops, ensuring that they’re accessible: 4 feet wide for people with disabilities and in wheelchairs.

From Slate ● Feb. 24, 2026

Some crunched-up ones were being pushed in wheelchairs by nurses in nurse uniforms.

From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell