bicycle

American  

[bahy-si-kuhl, -sik-uhl, -sahy-kuhl] / ˈbaɪ sɪ kəl, -ˌsɪk əl, -ˌsaɪ kəl /

noun

bicycles plural

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)

bicycles, present (3rd person singular) bicycled, past participle, past bicycling present participle

1. to ride a bicycle.

verb (used with object)

bicycles, present (3rd person singular) bicycled, past participle, past bicycling present participle

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

bicycle British  

/ 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

Derived Forms

• bicycler
  noun
• bicyclist
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• bicycles
  plural

Participles

• bicycling
  present
• bicycled
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• bicycle
  simple
• bicycles
  simple
• have bicycled
  perfect
• has bicycled
  perfect
• am bicycling
  progressive
• are bicycling
  progressive
• is bicycling
  progressive
• have been bicycling
  perfect progressive
• has been bicycling
  perfect progressive

Past

• bicycled
  simple
• had bicycled
  perfect
• was bicycling
  progressive
• were bicycling
  progressive
• had been bicycling
  perfect progressive

Future

• will bicycle
  simple
• will have bicycled
  perfect
• will be bicycling
  progressive
• will have been bicycling
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of bicycle

From French, dating back to 1865–70; see origin at bi- ¹, cycle

Explanation

A bicycle is a two-wheeled vehicle that's propelled by foot pedals and steered with handlebars. They say you never forget how to ride a bicycle once you learn. When you travel to places like Amsterdam and Beijing you'll see people of all ages using bicycles as their major form of transportation. The word bicycle is also a verb, as in "I think I'll bicycle over to the bakery and buy some muffins." The word bicycle was coined in the 19th century from a combination of the Greek bi, or "two," and kyklos, "wheel."

Example Sentences

This will be more than a typical evening at the Bowl, with dedicated Anderson-branded merchandise and uniformed bicycle riders dispensing candy.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 8, 2026

Just over one kilometre from the finish line on stage 12, the Briton was forced to run without a bicycle following a crash with a motorbiked on Mont Ventoux.

From BBC • Jul. 3, 2026

At insurer Linexo "around 90 percent of claims will be handled entirely automatically by the end of the year", head of the bicycle division Soeren Hirsch said.

From Barron's • Jun. 28, 2026

Today, she says everyday activities such as gardening and riding a stationary bicycle are far more enjoyable because of the reduction in pain.

From Science Daily • Jun. 23, 2026

In one magnificent motion, Rooster Jim jerked the bicycle off course and careened—thunk—into the stacked bundles.

From "Hattie Big Sky" by Kirby Larson

Related Words

• bike