motorcycle
Americannoun
-
motorcycles
plural
verb (used without object)
noun
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of motorcycle
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
It was an epic remembrance, with feelings complicated by the fact that Mastodon was estranged from Hinds at the time of his death at 51 from a motorcycle crash in 2025.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 12, 2026
The boy had been with his father, who was getting his motorcycle tyre pumped up at the mechanic's shop.
From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026
A police officer had probable cause to believe that the motorcycle was stolen and that Mr. Collins had driven it in an illegal high-speed chase.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026
Eduardo Metzker, 29, was riding his motorcycle in Rio de Janeiro when he was suddenly boxed in by two other bikes.
From Barron's ● Sep. 29, 2026
“I’ll stay here,” answered Ralph, thinking of that long smooth hall waiting for his motorcycle.
From "Ralph S. Mouse" by Beverly Cleary
On Sept. 8, Canada imposed a 50% tariff on large motorcycles and many other goods.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 21, 2026
On Tuesday, new US tariffs came into effect on a number of Canadian goods while some others were lifted, and bans on goods like alcohol and motorcycles are due to come into force next week.
From BBC ● Sep. 15, 2026
During communist days, chronic shortages and years-long waiting lists for cars like the puttering Trabant meant that mopeds and motorcycles became an indispensable way to get around.
From Barron's ● Sep. 4, 2026
But officials are most concerned about young riders on the electric bicycles and motorcycles outfitted with the most powerful motors that can sometimes outrun police vehicles.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 27, 2026
Hearing the sound of motorcycles approaching, they flattened themselves against the wall of an abandoned cottage.
From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin
She has traveled and lived around the world, crisscrossed South America and Indonesia on her own, motorcycled through Europe and Turkey.
From New York Times ● May 28, 2019
He studied art at a Christian college and motorcycled through Europe in his early 20s to, he said, “sleep in fields and eat yogurt.”
From New York Times ● Mar. 31, 2017
In 1908 he motorcycled from John O'Groats to Land's End.
From BBC ● Jul. 8, 2016
He has since motorcycled all over the country, praising and photographing his favorite examples.
From Time Magazine Archive
At ten forty-five, the paraders were halted for some reason, and the General's runners motorcycled down along the line of march and told the bandmasters to keep on playing the liveliest of tunes.
From The Five Arrows by Allan Chase
While many Chinese cities have restricted motorcycling, Chongqing has embraced it and become a biker's paradise.
From Barron's ● Aug. 2, 2026
That blocked the pipeline bringing new people into motorcycling, said Christy LaCurelle, president and chief executive of the Motorcycle Industry Council.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 7, 2026
More people walked up the dunes, including Dan Tauber, who said he’d been motorcycling around the area with friends before deciding to break off from the group to experience the launch.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 19, 2025
He added the auction would enable someone to "own a piece of motorcycling history" while celebrating Myers' legacy.
From BBC ● Jan. 31, 2025
Better equipment and facilities would be supplied for touring, motorcycling, mountaineering, skiing, and hiking.
From Area Handbook for Romania by Donald W. Bernier
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