bicycle

[ bahy-si-kuhl, -sik-uhl, -sahy-kuhl ]

noun

1. a vehicle with two wheels in tandem, usually propelled by pedals connected to the rear wheel by a chain, and having handlebars for steering and a saddlelike seat.

verb (used without object)

, bi·cy·cled, bi·cy·cling.

1. to ride a bicycle.

verb (used with object)

, bi·cy·cled, bi·cy·cling.

1. to ship or transport directly by bicycle or other means.

bicycle

/ ˈbaɪsɪkəl /

noun

1. informal.
   a vehicle with a tubular metal frame mounted on two spoked wheels, one behind the other. The rider sits on a saddle, propels the vehicle by means of pedals that drive the rear wheel through a chain, and steers with handlebars on the front wheel Often shortened tocyclebike

verb

1. intr to ride a bicycle; cycle

Derived Forms

• ˈbicyclist, noun

Other Words From

• bicy·clist bicy·cler noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of bicycle¹

From French, dating back to 1865–70; bi- ¹, cycle

Word History and Origins

Origin of bicycle¹

C19: from bi- ¹+ Late Latin cyclus , from Greek kuklos wheel

Example Sentences

As I was coming out, my sister [Valerie] tugged on me and said, ‘That’s the boy who kicked me off my bicycle.

From The Daily Beast

So I went home—we only lived about a quarter mile away—and I got on my bicycle and rode back, and he was in the donut shop.

From The Daily Beast

The street is closed to traffic and kids run unfettered across inviting hopscotch squares and bicycle lanes.

From The Daily Beast

Two of the recruits have admitted to two sexual assaults and a bicycle theft in Market Square right at the center of the old town.

From The Daily Beast

Bicycle riders are prudent to fear being clipped by a passing car.

From The Daily Beast

The youth nearly fell off the bicycle, but British doggedness saved him from disaster.

From Project Gutenberg

The bicycle courier receives a fee very thankfully and no doubt this constitutes his chief source of revenue for service rendered.

From Project Gutenberg

Manufacture of the motorcycle upon a commercial scale forthwith commenced in the bicycle manufactory at Springfield, Mass.

From Project Gutenberg

Along in the late nineties a keen interest in bicycle racing led to the introduction of what is known as the motor-paced tandem.

From Project Gutenberg

Plainly everything after “bicycle” is nothing to the present purpose and should be excluded.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bike