motorcycle

American  

[moh-ter-sahy-kuhl] / ˈmoʊ tərˌsaɪ kəl /

noun

motorcycles plural

1. a motor vehicle similar to a bicycle but usually larger and heavier, chiefly for one rider but sometimes having two saddles or an attached sidecar for passengers.

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verb (used without object)

motorcycled, motorcycling

1. to ride on or operate a motorcycle.

motorcycle British  

/ ˈməʊtəˌsaɪkəl /

noun

1. Also called: motorbike.  a two-wheeled vehicle, having a stronger frame than a bicycle, that is driven by a petrol engine, usually with a capacity of between 125 cc and 1000 cc

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verb

1. to ride on a motorcycle

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• motorcyclist
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• motorcycles
  plural

Etymology

Origin of motorcycle

An Americanism dating back to 1890–95; motor + cycle

Explanation

A motorcycle is a vehicle with two wheels, an engine, and no pedals. Don't forget to wear a helmet when you jump on your motorcycle! Like a bicycle, a motorcycle has two wheels, but while you power your bike by pedaling, a motorcycle's motor takes care of that. All you have to do is keep it full of gasoline. Motorcycles don't burn as much fuel as most cars, so they are a major form of transportation in many cities. Unfortunately, they're also much more dangerous. When motorcycles were invented in the 19th century, they were also sometimes called motocycles.

Example Sentences

Sales of new bikes dropped 8% last year, according to the Motorcycle Industry Council.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 7, 2026

But once in England, he was eager to learn from the Gay Bikers Motorcycle Club.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 4, 2026

Mr. Brand devotes many pages to the joys of how-to media, from Diderot’s “Encyclopédie” to “Chilton’s Motorcycle Troubleshooting Guide” to the countless instructional videos available on YouTube today.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 5, 2025

Motorcycle riders should take extra care in icy conditions and opt for a slower pace, advises Traffic Scotland.

From BBC • Nov. 18, 2025

‘Christy’s with the other guys and girls. They’re all on the same job this week. Down Earl’s Court at the Motorcycle and Scooter Show.’

From "The London Eye Mystery" by Siobhan Dowd