unicycle
Americannoun
-
unicycles
plural
verb (used without object)
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of unicycle
Explanation
You might see a unicyle, or a bicycle-like vehicle with only one wheel, ridden by a clown at the circus. It's harder to ride a unicycle than a bicycle, since you have to balance on a single wheel. Acrobats and other performers often ride unicycles and sometimes even do tricks like balancing on a tightrope while perched on the seat of a unicycle. The Latin prefix uni gives you a clue about the meaning of this word, since it means "one." In unicycle, it's combined with "cycle," which comes from the Greek word kyklos, "circle or wheel."
Vocabulary lists containing unicycle
Power Prefix: uni-
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uni-
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Florida's B.E.S.T. Common Prefixes: uni-
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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:
A man on a unicycle brandished a sign, inspired by J.R.R.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 8, 2026
Niu suffered a broken arm more than a decade ago after falling backwards off her unicycle while practicing.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 2, 2025
To operate an electric unicycle, the rider stands on it and leans in order to accelerate, brake and steer.
From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2023
Other days you might see a dog wearing an LED collar or a kid riding an electric unicycle to school and feel momentarily convinced that, yes, the future is actually here.
From Washington Post ● Sep. 27, 2022
Some guys can get away with stink—tall guys, sporty guys, guys who have something else they can be known for, like that guy who learned to unicycle.
From "Wayward Creatures" by Dayna Lorentz
They've taught salsa lessons, handed out snacks, and ridden unicycles, as armed law enforcement look on.
From BBC ● Dec. 27, 2025
You as the actor have to balance — we’re put on unicycles where it’s very real and shockingly narcissistic.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 24, 2023
The journalist Luke Bailey tweeted images of AI-generated unicycles that were laughably off base.
From Washington Post ● Mar. 31, 2023
Off road-ready unicycles represent close to 70% of sales at leading retailer Unicycle.com, of which he is general manager.
From Washington Times ● Oct. 8, 2022
Following this event, we started to notice more e-bikes, e-scooters, and electric unicycles joining our mix of both production and DIY electric skateboards.
From The Verge ● Aug. 12, 2022
Based in Michigan, Torrans has unicycled the likes of Pikes Peak’s Barr Trail and the Whole Enchilada, the full-day epic in Moab.
From Washington Times ● Oct. 8, 2022
He’s been mountain unicycling for more than 15 years.
From Washington Times ● Oct. 8, 2022
A daredevil geologist finds fitness bliss landing 13-foot drops while unicycling down uneven terrain.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2018
Rollerblading leads to hover boarding which leads to electric unicycling.
From Economist ● Aug. 11, 2016
Sponsored silence, sponsored eating bread, sponsored shouting at strangers, unicycling, fudge-making, fact-learning, football-juggling: whatever.
From The Guardian ● Jan. 11, 2013
Practitioners say unicycling is also good for improved balance and muscle tone.
From New York Times ● Aug. 28, 2010
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
