Akademik

1. someone or something that is unwanted and unneeded

2. an extra car wheel and tire for a four-wheel vehicle

3. a steering bearing that enables the front axle of a horse-drawn wagon to rotate

1.

a. : a horizontal wheel or segment of a wheel that consists of two parts rotating on each other about the kingbolt above the fore axle of a carriage or wagon and beneath the body and that forms an extended support to prevent tipping

b. : a coupling in the form of two disks rotating on each other for attaching a vehicle body to the front axle so as to support it in turning

c. : a similar coupling between tractor and trailer of a semitrailer

2.

a. : a spare wheel

b. : a light wheel trailed behind an automobile for measuring speed or distance

3. : one that is superfluous or burdensome

1. a horizontal ring or segment of a ring, consisting of two bands that slide on each other, placed above the front axle of a carriage and designed to support the forepart of the body while allowing it to turn freely in a horizontal plane.

2. a similar device used as a coupling to connect a semitrailer to a tractor.

3. a similar coupling between a heavy-duty pickup truck and a camping trailer (fifth-wheel trailer) that extends over the bed of the truck.

4. an extra wheel for a four-wheeled vehicle.

5. a superfluous, unneeded, or unwanted person or thing: They enjoy making any outsider feel like a fifth wheel.

[1870-75]

fifth wheel noun

1. The spare wheel of a four-wheeled vehicle

2. A coupling on an articulated vehicle that allows the towing of a trailer

3. A superfluous or useless person or thing (informal)

Main Entry: ↑fifth

third/fifth/wheel phrase

someone in an organization or team who is not really needed

Thesaurus: group members and describing group members_hyponym

Main entry: wheel

fifth wheel,

1. Informal. a person or thing that is not needed.

2. an extra wheel for a four-wheeled vehicle.

3. a horizontal ring, placed above the forward axle of a carriage and designed to support the forepart of the body while allowing it to turn freely in a horizontal plane.

1) an extra wheel for a four-wheeled vehicle

2) a coupling between a trailer and a vehicle used for towing

noun, pl ⋯ wheels [count]

informal : an extra person who is not needed in a group