SPOKE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does spoke mean? 

• SPOKE (noun)
  The noun SPOKE has 2 senses:

1. support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim

2. one of the crosspieces that form the steps of a ladder

  Familiarity information: SPOKE used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SPOKE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

radius; spoke; wheel spoke

Hypernyms ("spoke" is a kind of...):

support (any device that bears the weight of another thing)

Holonyms ("spoke" is a part of...):

bicycle wheel (the wheel of a bicycle)

cartwheel (a wheel that has wooden spokes and a metal rim)

wagon wheel (a wheel of a wagon)

Sense 2

Meaning:

One of the crosspieces that form the steps of a ladder

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

rundle; rung; spoke

Hypernyms ("spoke" is a kind of...):

crosspiece (a transverse brace)

Holonyms ("spoke" is a part of...):

ladder (steps consisting of two parallel members connected by rungs; for climbing up or down)

 Context examples 

He spoke to me, Mina, very straightforwardly.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

He spoke in a low voice that sounded almost strange to Me.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

He spoke softly to White Fang until he had quieted him, then his voice became firm.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

It was possibly a minute before he spoke.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

He rose as he spoke. ‘I shall expect you, then, at Eyford at 11:15.’

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

It was some minutes before he spoke.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

He spoke aloud, after the manner of men who are much by themselves.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

I'm sorry I spoke, but as I did, I'll tell you.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Allowances, large allowances, she knew, must be made for the ideas of those who spoke.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

She played till Fanny's eyes, straying to the window on the weather's being evidently fair, spoke what she felt must be done.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)