wheelchair

American  

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

noun

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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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

Wheelchair curling made its debut with GB winning silver.

From BBC • Mar. 4, 2026

Wheelchair curling mixed doubles is the only new medal event in this year's programme.

From BBC • Feb. 24, 2026

Wheelchair racers Hannah Cockroft and Sammi Kinghorn, Para-cyclist Jody Cundy, table tennis player Will Bayley and swimmer Alice Tai will also be among those in action.

From BBC • Aug. 26, 2024

Wheelchair user Kat Watkins has said a doctor assumed she was not having sex because of her disability.

From BBC • Apr. 30, 2024

Her seventh grade essay was entitled “The Cerebral Palsy Wheelchair Olympics Blues.”

From "Beauty Queens" by Libba Bray