spoke

1 of 3
ˈspōk How to pronounce spoke (audio)
Synonyms of spoke

past tense and archaic past participle of speak

spoke

2 of 3

noun

1
a
: any of the small radiating bars inserted in the hub of a wheel to support the rim
b
: something resembling the spoke of a wheel
2
: any of the projecting handles of a boat's steering wheel

spoke

3 of 3

verb

spoked; spoking

transitive verb

: to furnish with spokes

Examples of spoke in a Sentence

Noun The stick got caught in the wheel's spokes.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The Child has placed his foot on the basket of yarns and has grasped the yarnwinder and gazes attentively at the four spokes that are in the form of a cross. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 3 Aug. 2026 The idea appears to be to make the game with a number of spokes into different multiplayer genres, which, naturally, feels like a much smaller version of what Destiny was. — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026 However, these American allies—the spokes—did not necessarily have defense obligations to each other. — Huong Le-Thu, Time, 22 July 2026 It has been suggested that from the capitol grounds should radiate a number of fine highways, like the spokes of a wheel, over which Floridians could drive, easily and quickly, to all parts of the state. — Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for spoke

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English spāca; akin to Old High German speihha spoke, Middle Dutch spike spike

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of spoke was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing spoke

Rhymes for spoke

See All Rhymes for spoke

Browse Nearby Words

Spokanite
spoke
spoke auger
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spoke.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spoke. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

spoke

1 of 2
ˈspōk How to pronounce spoke (audio)

past and archaic past participle of speak

spoke

2 of 2 noun
1
: one of the small bars extending from the hub of a wheel to support the rim
2
: something resembling the spoke of a wheel

More from Merriam-Webster on spoke

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for spoke

Nglish: Translation of spoke for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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