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)

bicycled, bicycling 

1. to ride a bicycle.

verb (used with object)

bicycled, bicycling 

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

bicycle

/ ˈbaɪsɪkəl /

noun

1. Often shortened to: cycle.  bike. 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

verb

1. (intr) to ride a bicycle; cycle

Other Word Forms

• bicyclist noun
• bicycler 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

At age 59, he rode a bicycle from California to South Carolina.

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The robot is small enough to squeeze into a bicycle lane and looks like a mini tank without a turret.

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As well as fan reactions, video edits of the goals, particularly McTominay's bicycle kick, have been widely shared on social media sites, including X as well as Instagram and TikTok.

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Lady Luck has been mentioned, but there was nothing fortunate about McTominay leaping the height of the Finnieston Crane to score an outrageous bicycle kick.

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Scott McTominay scored first with an overhead bicycle kick after just three minutes, but Denmark battled to equalise.

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Related Words

• bike