(~s, ~ing, ~ed)
Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.
1.
The ~s of a vehicle are the circular objects which are fixed underneath it and which enable it to move along the ground.
The car ~s spun and slipped on some oil on the road.
N-COUNT
•
Something on ~s has ~s attached to the bottom, so that it can be moved easily.
...a trolley on ~s...
The stove is on ~s so it can be shuffled around easily.
PHRASE: n PHR, v-link PHR
2.
A ~ is a circular object which forms a part of a machine, usually a moving part.
...an eighteenth century mill with a water ~.
N-COUNT
3.
The ~ of a car or other vehicle is the circular object that is used to steer it. The ~ is used in expressions to talk about who is driving a vehicle. For example, if someone is at the ~ of a car, they are driving it.
My co-pilot suddenly grabbed the ~...
Curtis got behind the ~ and they started back toward the cottage...
Roberto handed Flynn the keys and let him take the ~.
= steering ~
N-COUNT: usu sing, the N
4.
If you ~ an object that has ~s somewhere, you push it along.
He ~ed his bike into the alley at the side of the house...
They ~ed her out on the stretcher.
VERB: V n prep/adv, V n prep/adv
5.
If something such as a group of animals or birds ~s, it moves in a circle. (LITERARY)
A flock of crows ~ed overhead.
VERB: V
6.
If you ~ around, you turn around suddenly where you are standing, often because you are surprised, shocked, or angry.
He ~ed around to face her...
VERB: V adv
7.
People talk about the ~s of an organization or system to mean the way in which it operates.
He knows the ~s of administration turn slowly.
to oil the ~s: see oil
N-PLURAL: the N of n
8.
see also Catherine ~ , meals on ~s , potter’s ~ , spare ~ , spinning ~ , steering ~ , water ~