Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun fifth_wheel

3 senses of fifth wheel

Sense 1
fifth wheel, deadwood -- (someone or something that is unwanted and unneeded)
       => redundancy, redundance -- (the attribute of being superfluous and unneeded; "the use of industrial robots created redundancy among workers")

Sense 2
fifth wheel, spare -- (an extra car wheel and tire for a four-wheel vehicle)
       => car wheel -- (a wheel that has a tire and rim and hubcap; used to propel the car)

Sense 3
fifth wheel -- (a steering bearing that enables the front axle of a horse-drawn wagon to rotate)
       => bearing -- (a rotating support placed between moving parts to allow them to move easily)