pin·wheel

(pĭn′wēl′, -hwēl′)

1. A toy consisting of vanes of colored paper or plastic pinned to a stick so that they revolve when blown on.

2. A firework that forms a rotating wheel of colored flames. Also called catherine wheel.

3. A wheel with a circle of pins at right angles to its face, used as a tripping device.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

pinwheel

(ˈpɪnˌwiːl)

1. another name for Catherine wheel¹

2. (Mechanical Engineering) a cogwheel whose teeth are formed by small pins projecting either axially or radially from the rim of the wheel

3. US and Canadian a toy consisting of plastic or paper vanes attached to a stick in such a manner that they revolve like the sails of a windmill. Also called (in Britain and certain other countries): windmill or whirligig

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

pin•wheel

(ˈpɪnˌʰwil, -ˌwil)

n.

1. a toy consisting of a small wheel with paper or plastic vanes attached by a pin to a stick, designed to revolve when blown.

2. a firework that revolves rapidly on a pin when ignited, making a wheel of fire or sparks; Catherine wheel.

v.i.

3. to revolve rapidly like a pinwheel.

[1695–1705]

pinwheel

- Originally a mechanism in a clock.

See also related terms for mechanism.

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Noun	1.	pinwheel - perennial subshrub of Tenerife having leaves in rosettes resembling pinwheels Aeonium haworthii Aeonium, genus Aeonium - a genus of plants of the family Crassulaceae subshrub, suffrutex - low-growing woody shrub or perennial with woody base
	2.	pinwheel - a wheel that has numerous pins that are set at right angles to its rim; "he spun the pinwheel and it stopped with the pointer on `Go'" wheel - a simple machine consisting of a circular frame with spokes (or a solid disc) that can rotate on a shaft or axle (as in vehicles or other machines)
	3.	pinwheel - a toy consisting of vanes of colored paper or plastic that is pinned to a stick and spins when it is pointed into the wind pinwheel wind collector plaything, toy - an artifact designed to be played with
	4.	pinwheel - a circular firework that spins round and round emitting colored fire catherine wheel firework, pyrotechnic - (usually plural) a device with an explosive that burns at a low rate and with colored flames; can be used to illuminate areas or send signals etc.

Translations

ventolera

pinwheel

[ˈpɪnˌwiːl] N (esp US) → rueda f catalina

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

Mentioned in

References in classic literature

His head seemed to be flying about like a pinwheel and then projecting itself off into space and his arms and legs flopped helplessly about.

View in context

AUSE movement deterrents, such as brightly coloured pinwheel windmills, as they're more hedgehogfriendly than netting - which can trap young hoglets.

ASK DAVID; OUR EXPERT ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS

Matty AUSE movement deterrents, such as brightly coloured pinwheel windmills, as they're more hedgehog friendly than netting - which can trap young hoglets.

ASK DAVID; OUR EXPERT ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS

In Formation is so easy because it's made of black-and-white patches and brightly colored Pinwheels. Note, the assortment of black-and-white patches are randomly placed throughout the quilt except in the center Pinwheel.

In Formation: one-technique masterpiece

Throughout the month of April, the Northwest suburbs will be dotted with Blue Pinwheel Gardens in support of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, with Shelter, Inc.'s child abuse prevention program Healthy Families leading the way.

Shelter, Inc. works with families to prevent child abuse

The conference will address the pinwheel gardens, which will serve as a reminder of child abuse and how everyone can help prevent abuse from happening.

Helping Out for April 3, 2019

The graffiti artist has donated his 23ft-high pinwheel to Weston-super-Mare after the 2015 show.

Dismaland's town to show Banksy piece

Four-patches combined with triangle-squares create a clever variation of the Pinwheel block.

Addicted to Scraps

If this block is made without the sashing and pinwheel cornerstones, a large pinwheel is created where four blocks come together.

WHIRLIGIG

The tracks are "Morning Song", "Are We There Yet?", "Why Why Why?", "Six Pickup Sticks", "I Spy", "Pinwheel", "Helicopter Leaves", "Blue", "Ants, "Where Does the Moon Go?", "Willow Tree", and "Stars".

Why Why Why?

Highlights include a single-point watering system with tool-free cover removal for simple battery maintenance; on-board battery charger; standard wet-cell battery pack; turtle-mode button for pinwheel turning in a 93-inch space; and multi-functional control handle with ergonomic grips.

Affordable, AC-powered walkie pallet jack for entry-level use

"Building Blocks: Back To Quilt Basics" by quilting expert Diane Califano is an impressive compilation of illustrated, step-by-step quilting projects that includes detailed instructions for making quilt blocs such as Log Cabin, Pinwheel, Flying Geese, and more, as well as general quilt making techniques that will prove invaluable for the novice quilt maker.

Building Blocks