wheelbarrow: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral to informal; common in everyday, gardening, and DIY contexts.
Quick answer
What does “wheelbarrow” mean?
A small cart with one wheel at the front and two handles at the back, used for carrying small loads in gardening, construction, or farming.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small cart with one wheel at the front and two handles at the back, used for carrying small loads in gardening, construction, or farming.
A symbol of manual labour, gardening, or simple construction work; sometimes used metaphorically to describe a situation where one person or element carries most of the burden.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or design. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Identical connotations of manual work, gardening, and practicality.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “wheelbarrow” in a Sentence
push a wheelbarrow [somewhere]load a wheelbarrow with [something]a wheelbarrow of [something]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “wheelbarrow” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He had to wheelbarrow the rubble to the skip.
- They wheelbarrowed the compost across the allotment.
American English
- We need to wheelbarrow this dirt to the back yard.
- He spent the afternoon wheelbarrowing mulch.
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverbial use. Extremely rare/non-existent.)
American English
- (No standard adverbial use. Extremely rare/non-existent.)
adjective
British English
- The wheelbarrow race was the highlight of the village fete.
- He adopted a wheelbarrow-style posture for the exercise.
American English
- The wheelbarrow relay is a classic camp game.
- She won the wheelbarrow competition.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in contexts of selling gardening or construction equipment.
Academic
Rare, except in historical or design discussions of simple machines.
Everyday
Very common, especially in gardening, DIY, and home improvement contexts.
Technical
Used in horticulture, landscaping, and construction for describing a specific tool.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “wheelbarrow”
- Spelling as two words: 'wheel barrow'.
- Confusing it with a 'wheelchair'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is one word, a compound noun.
A wheelbarrow typically has one wheel at the front and is guided by two handles. A cart usually has two or four wheels and may be pulled or pushed.
Yes, informally, meaning to carry or move something using a wheelbarrow (e.g., 'We need to wheelbarrow this gravel').
It comes from Middle English 'wheel' + 'barwe' (an Old English word for a 'bier' or 'handcart'). The design is ancient, but the compound word dates from around the 14th century.
A small cart with one wheel at the front and two handles at the back, used for carrying small loads in gardening, construction, or farming.
Wheelbarrow is usually neutral to informal; common in everyday, gardening, and diy contexts. in register.
Wheelbarrow: in British English it is pronounced /ˈwiːlˌbær.əʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈwiːlˌber.oʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “reinvent the wheelbarrow (playful variant of 'reinvent the wheel')”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a BARROW (an old cart) that has been updated with a WHEEL. It's a WHEEL-BARROW.
Conceptual Metaphor
BURDEN IS A HEAVY LOAD IN A WHEELBARROW (e.g., 'He's carrying the whole project in his wheelbarrow').
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary purpose of a wheelbarrow?