pinwheel
pinwheel Lexical Profile
pinwheel Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A child's toy consisting of a stick with a wheel or star of folded paper or plastic attached to one end by a pin, which spins in the wind.
"The children ran laughing through the park, holding bright plastic pinwheels that spun rapidly in the breeze."
A circular or spiral shape or formation resembling a spinning wheel, often found in fireworks, baked goods, or galaxy classifications.
"The astronomer pointed out the classic pinwheel shape of the distant spiral galaxy."
• verb
To spin, rotate, or revolve rapidly in a circular motion, similar to the blades of a toy pinwheel.
"When he tripped on the rocky path, his arms pinwheeled wildly as he tried to maintain his balance."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Originates from the late 18th century as a combination of 'pin' and 'wheel', referring to the toy's construction where a rotating wheel of paper or plastic is fastened to a stick by a single pin acting as an axle.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.