Showing Results for "cycling"

See Also:

• present participle of cycle.

cycling

American  

[sahy-kling] / ˈsaɪ klɪŋ /

noun

1. the act or sport of riding or traveling by bicycle, motorcycle, etc.

2. Also called bicycle race.  Also called bicycle racing.  Sports. a race on lightweight bicycles with low handlebars, conducted for specified distances or against time on a dirt or board track or over public roads between cities.

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Etymology

Origin of cycling

First recorded in 1935–40; cycle + -ing ¹

Explanation

When you ride a bicycle, you are cycling. Sometimes, though less often, it also is used to refer to motorcycle riding. The roots of the word cycling are ancient. Both Latin and Greek have similar words that mean "circle, wheel." It's only natural, then, that a two-wheeled vehicle should be a bicycle and that cycling involves riding that vehicle. Occasionally, it can be used as a verb describing something going through a cycle, like a dishwasher cycling through.

Example Sentences

"My second best sport I do is cycling since I'm 10. For a hobby biker who is not cycling in winter, I'm a really good endurance athlete. Cycling is my second life."

From Barron's • Feb. 22, 2026

A separate suit was filed by a New York wine importer and Terry Precision Cycling, which sells cycling apparel for women.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 20, 2026

“If Olympic sport had a transfer portal, we’d have already signed him,” cracked USA Cycling CEO and president Brendan Quirk.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 16, 2026

The Tours are the world's biggest free-to-watch sporting events and British Cycling says it is looking to recruit 7,000 volunteers to help with route operations, spectator support and community engagement.

From BBC • Jan. 15, 2026

When I’m bad—when the Cycling is going on in my brain—it’s a Battle.

From "It’s Kind of a Funny Story" by Ned Vizzini