freewheel
noun
free·wheel
| \ ˈfrē-ˈ(h)wēl
\
\
Definition of freewheel
(Entry 1 of 2)
: a clutch fitted in the rear hub of a bicycle that permits the rear wheel to run on free from the rear sprocket when the pedals are stopped
freewheel
verb
freewheeled;
freewheeling;
freewheels
Definition of freewheel (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: to roll along freely independent of a gear
2
: to move, live, or play freely or irresponsibly
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Examples of freewheel in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
On the other side, the spokes meet the axle slightly off-center, while the gears (and the freewheel that allows them to rotate freely in only one direction) take up the space between there and the frame. — John Timmer, Ars Technica, "How bicycles have changed in the last 25 years," 10 Nov. 2018Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
Science + Tech = MACH What sets freewheeling tech billionaire Elon Musk apart from us mere mortals? — Alexander Smith, NBC News, "Amazon wildfires could be 'game over' for climate change fight: The Morning Rundown," 23 Aug. 2019 Originalism’s proponents tend to view it as the One True Method for reading the national charter, an antidote to the heady, freewheeling liberal activism of Earl Warren and his brethren in the 1950s and 1960s. — Matt Ford, The New Republic, "Conservative Judges Are Brawling Over Originalism," 22 Aug. 2019 An insecure man competes for the affection of his stepchildren when their freewheeling father breezes back into town. — Los Angeles Times, "Here are the feature and TV films airing the week of Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019," 11 Aug. 2019 His resignation comes less than two weeks after the president announced Mr. Kelly’s departure—his original homeland security secretary, who was later brought in as chief of staff to impose more discipline in the freewheeling White House. — Vivian Salama, WSJ, "Exit of Mattis, Last of Trump’s ‘Generals,’ Removes Voice of Moderation," 20 Dec. 2018 VanVleet’s freewheeling aggression seems to have a positive effect on Lowry. — Michael Shapiro, SI.com, "Kyle Lowry and the Factors That Allowed His Return to Form," 7 June 2019 My middle school years were spent shuffling between two very different households: one that was freewheeling and laid-back, and one where there were rules and high expectations that shouldn’t be questioned. — Cathy Free, Twin Cities, "Cathy Free: A treasured letter from Dad," 15 June 2019 Madison’s go-anywhere vehicle is also equipped with Warn Hubs, a mechanical device attached to the front wheels that allows freewheeling instead of turning the front axle. — David Krumboltz, The Mercury News, "Me & My Car: Lafayette owner’s ’67 Scout ‘a mobile man-cave’," 10 June 2019 Ingram’s freewheeling, smart-alecky approach had its moments of anxiety. — Richard Sandomir, BostonGlobe.com, "Dan Ingram, irreverent NYC disc jockey, is dead at 83," 26 June 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'freewheel.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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