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Wheelbarrel vs Wheelbarrow: Which Is The Correct Spelling?

Wheelbarrel vs Wheelbarrow: Which Is The Correct Spelling?

One of the greatest achievements anyone in elementary school can get is to win a spelling bee contest. The recognition will come from your parents, the teachers, the school staff, and not to mention your classmates. But what if your confidence is through the roof but not your accuracy? Especially with words that you may not regularly use, like “wheelbarrel” and “wheelbarrow.”

Wheelbarrow is the correct spelling as “wheelbarrel” is not a word that exists in the English language, nor is it a variation or derivation from old English. It is easy to confuse the two terms when speaking because the ending sounds very similar. 

The term “wheelbarrel” doesn’t exist. There is a wheel and a barrel, but you won’t find it in a dictionary as one word. Keep reading to get more information in regards to these terms.

Why Do People Get The Two Terms Confused?

It’s very common for “wheelbarrow” and “wheelbarrel” to be confused with one another in a conversation due to them having a similar pronunciation. Even English native speakers tend to swallow up letters when speaking. We do this out of convenience, not because we are lazy, but because it’s a way to communicate in the present. Languages and dialects evolve, and they will continue to do so based on the needs of the speakers.

Now, considering that only one term exists, it is easy to assume that both the speaker and the listener think about the same thing. But for someone unaware of the spelling of this word, hearing it for the first time and having to write it may cause confusion.

This wouldn’t reflect the grade of education of a person since people, in general, can go through all the different stages of schooling until reaching or going beyond higher education and still not know all the words in a language.

wheelbarrow word in the dictionary

Is Wheelbarrow The Correct Spelling?

It is indeed. The word “wheelbarrow” is a compound word, meaning that it combines two words that already exist in the English language, and then it is made into a new one. The term “wheelbarrow” comes from a wheel, a circular object that revolves in an axle, used for pushing and pulling, and a barrow, a two-wheeled hand cart seen mostly with street vendors.

“Wheelbarrow” is a word used to define a small one-wheeled cart at the front with two supporting legs and handles at the back, used more often for carrying heavy things. This design works wonderfully to carry the heavy load of many different types of materials. Although, it is primarily used for hard items as anything too liquid might spill over.

It was invented in China circa 118 AD, so it has had a presence in history for over 2,000 years. This type of vehicle is mostly used in construction. Even though it is easy to handle, the wheelbarrow itself weighs a lot, especially once loaded with something. It is not meant to be handled by just about anyone.

This type of vehicle comprises a bed of steel, wood, and, less frequently, plastic. The one used for loading is usually made of steel, but it could get too heavy for maneuvering. The next one would be a wood wheelbarrow; they won’t crack or rust the way steel ones do, but they can rot and get moldy quite easily if left outdoors. They are mostly used for decoration purposes.

Plastic wheelbarrows are an excellent choice if you are on a budget or if you think you won’t be able to pick up a steel one. They can be left outside without any risk of rusting or getting any mold.

Other vehicles that are similar to a wheelbarrow as they provide the same service are as follows:

  • A cart or dray, which is also designed for transportation services, uses two wheels and is typically pulled by a working animal (donkey, horse, etc.). It is usually seen in the countryside or in places where agriculture is prevalent.
  • A flatbed trolley, which is used to transport bulk loads, is often preferred as it requires a different action from the handler and places less strain on the body.
  • A hand truck, also called a dolly, is used to transport things in an upright-tilted sort of way. It is frequently used when transporting crates.

Other Uses For Wheelbarrows

If you find yourself owning a wheelbarrow that is no longer in use, don’t discard it. You will see ways here for you to repurpose it.

  1. Make it a wheelbarrow planter. Give it a coat of paint and get a little creative, then plant some flowers, and you’ll have something pretty and functional to put in your backyard.
  2. Are you hosting a party? Display some party favors in a wheelbarrow for the attendees so that they can grab them on their way in.
  3. Turn it into a wheelbarrow fire pit. No need to invest money in a fancy hole when you can DIY your way into one. The best thing about it; it’s mobile.
  4. Make it a wheelbarrow barbecue. If it is deep enough for charcoal, you will only need a grill. Fire away in your portable barbecue!
  5. It’s coffee time. Get a wood plank, give it a rustic look, and have yourself a wheelbarrow coffee table for the patio.
  6. Chill those beers! If your cooler is not big enough, wash your wheelbarrow and fill it up with ice. The steel will keep them cool enough.
  7. Need to sit down? Remove the handles and the pegs, attach some new ones, add some cushions, and turn it into an egg wheelbarrow chair.  

Other examples with the word “wheelbarrow” are as follows:

  • You could use the bed of a wheelbarrow as a sandbox, but you risk your kid getting their head bumped if they fall in it.
  • That wheelbarrow is too big, and it won’t fit in my shed. We may have to obtain a smaller one or a plastic wheelbarrow and keep it outside.
  • Kids love competing in a wheelbarrow race. We should do another one next year.
  • I’m thinking about getting mini-wheelbarrows as centerpieces for the wedding.
  • The more into gardening she gets, the more sense it makes to give her a wheelbarrow.

guy moves a wheelbarrel

Wheelbarrow In Popular Culture

The thing about languages is that at some point, we run out of words to name things. Coming up with a new term for an object or even a name for a baby; sometimes is more trouble than it’s worth. When this happens, it is possible to see familiar names in popular culture.

For those who don’t know, pop culture is products or services that appeal to the masses. It is also conceived as the art and creativity of large groups of people. Wheelbarrow in pop culture can be seen in the following ways:

  • The Red Wheelbarrow. It is a poem by William Carlos William. This poem refers to a red wheelbarrow surrounded by white chickens. 
  • A wheelbarrow race is a game where teams of two race by having one of them use their hands as legs while the other holds his legs. The legs of the first person act as the handles of a wheelbarrow. This game originated in England, but it is commonly seen in the midwestern United States and is quite popular among Cub Scouts.
  • The Wheelbarrow Olympics is an annual sporting event in a village in Baranya county in Hungary. The contestants can participate as singles or in teams as they push a wheelbarrow with a keg in it. This type of event is usually done around concerts and various performances.

In Short

It is very common to recognize a word, know its meaning, and use it regularly, but at the same time, you have never read or written it before. With compound words, remember to separate them and think whether they make sense or not.