wheelie

American  

[hwee-lee, wee-] / ˈʰwi li, ˈwi- /

noun

1. a small, usually folding, metal frame with wheels for carrying luggage or small packages.

2. a maneuver in which a bicycle, motorcycle, or car has its front wheel or wheels momentarily lifted off the ground.

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wheelie British  

/ ˈwiːlɪ /

noun

1. a manoeuvre on a bicycle or motorbike in which the front wheel is raised off the ground

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Etymology

Origin of wheelie

First recorded in 1960–65; wheel + -ie

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

wheelie

Okimoto acquired a gray wheelie bag shortly after that “because I didn’t want to get the grief,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 5, 2026

Rail bosses have urged people heading to this year's Download Festival to travel light following reports metal fans tried to board last year with wheelie bins packed full of beer.

From BBC ● May 20, 2026

Images circulating on social media showed the truck performing a wheelie before swerving off the track and crashing into the barriers separating the public from the track.

From Barron's ● May 4, 2026

"It was very loud and sounded like two wheelie bins had been thrown at the door."

From BBC ● Apr. 30, 2026

He decided to empty the rubbish bin altogether—less risky that way—and took the bag out to the wheelie bin in front of the house.

From "A Monster Calls" by Patrick Ness