A Ferris wheel is a very large upright wheel with carriages around the edge of it which people can ride in. Ferris wheels are often found at theme parks or funfairs.
[US]regional note: in BRIT, use big wheel
Ferris wheel in British English
(ˈfɛrɪs)
noun
a fairground wheel having seats freely suspended from its rim; the seats remain horizontal throughout its rotation
Word origin
C19: named after G.W.G. Ferris (1859–96), American engineer
Ferris wheel in American English
(ˈfɛrɪs)
US
a large, upright wheel revolving on a fixed axle and having seats hanging between two parallel rims: used as an amusement-park ride
Word origin
after George W. G. Ferris (1859-96), U.S. engineer who constructed the first one for the World's Fair in Chicagoin 1893
Examples of 'Ferris wheel' in a sentence
Ferris wheel
Peggy surveyed the crowds swarming around the giant Ferris wheel.
Tony Parsons MAN AND WIFE (2002)
Tina opened her enormous umbrella and twirled it like a Ferris wheel, bringing David to an abrupt halt.
Adair, Tom (Intro) THREE KINDS OF KISSING - SCOTTISH SHORT STORIES (2002)
I looked back on the Fun Zone Ferris wheel and the merry-go-round and set the duffel at my feet.