Phrase guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
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noun
A type of trailer hitch, which consists of a horseshoe-shaped plate on a multidirectional pivot, with a locking pin to couple with the kingpin of a truck trailer.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: US
Topics: road, transport
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
A type of trailer hitch, which consists of a horseshoe-shaped plate on a multidirectional pivot, with a locking pin to couple with the kingpin of a truck trailer.
In full, fifth-wheel trailer: a large caravan or travel trailer that is connected to a pickup truck for towing by a hitch similar to the one described in sense 1 located in the center of the truck's bed.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: US
Topics: road, transport
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
A horizontal wheel or segment of a wheel above the front axle and beneath the body of a carriage, forming an extended support to prevent it from overturning.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: US, historical
Topics: road, transport
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Anything superfluous or unnecessary.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: US, idiomatic, informal
Synonyms: spare tool, third wheel
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Anything superfluous or unnecessary.
An unwanted person accompanying two couples on a double date.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: US, idiomatic, informal
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: spare tool, third wheel
Antonyms: none provided
noun
a steering bearing that enables the front axle of a horse-drawn wagon to rotate
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: bearing
noun
an extra car wheel and tire for a four-wheel vehicle
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: spare
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: car wheel
noun
someone or something that is unwanted and unneeded
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: deadwood
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: redundancy, redundance
History
From the fact that since many vehicles such as carriages, coaches, wagons, prime movers, and trucks generally have four wheels on which they move, this component which resembles a wheel is the fifth. * (anything superfluous or unnecessary): Sense 3 refers to the fact that a fifth wheel is not needed for a four-wheeled vehicle to operate.
Across languages
39 source translations are retained for this English entry.
