spoke

/spoʊk/

/spəʊk/

Other forms: spokes

A spoke is a bar or rod that connects the center of a wheel to its rim. The purpose of spokes is to support the structure of the wheel. You can jazz up your bike by weaving ribbons between the spokes.

Originally, spoke meant "a piece of a split log." When wagon wheels were made of wood, they were formed using these spokes, which were carved into matching shapes. Wheels with spokes were invented around 2000 B.C.E. or even earlier, and they revolutionized travel, making vehicles lighter and faster. Experts believe that spoke shares a root with spike.

Definitions of spoke

1. noun

   support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
   synonyms: radius, wheel spoke

   type of:

   support

   any device that bears the weight of another thing
2. noun

   one of the crosspieces that form the steps of a ladder
   synonyms: rundle, rung

   type of:

   crosspiece

   a transverse brace