spinning wheel

American  

noun

1. a device formerly used for spinning wool, flax, etc., into yarn or thread, consisting essentially of a single spindle driven by a large wheel operated by hand or foot.

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spinning wheel British  

noun

1. a wheel-like machine for spinning at home, having one hand- or foot-operated spindle

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Etymology

Origin of spinning wheel

late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425

Example Sentences

A tweet about Tuesday’s announcement included a video showing a spinning wheel with a Tesla logo that could have been the rotor of a Tesla eVTOL, or quadcopter drone.

From Barron's • Oct. 7, 2025

As the potter works the spinning wheel, the friction between their hands and the soft clay helps them shape it into all kinds of forms and creations.

From Science Daily • Jan. 9, 2024

Centered around a spinning wheel, it involves contestants solving word puzzles to win prizes.

From BBC • Jun. 27, 2023

There is nothing on Earth so still as the center of a spinning wheel.

From New York Times • Jun. 13, 2023

Reaching over, I removed a bent piece of wire that locked the machine’s spinning wheel in place.

From "The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind" by William Kamkwamba