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.

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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

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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

Alternatively, rent a bike, one of the most pleasant ways to navigate the island, from Young’s Bicycle Shop for around $49 a day.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 20, 2026

One of Zacharevic's most well-known work is Kids on Bicycle, a street mural he painted as part of an art commission for a local festival in 2012.

From BBC • Feb. 13, 2026

Once Villaverde redeemed her voucher at 562 Ebikes Electric Bicycle in Bellflower, one of 450 retailers that signed on to participate statewide, she said it exponentially improved her commute.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 6, 2026

Bicycle ambulances improve maternity health care in Malawi.

From Salon • Mar. 29, 2025

Bicycle Bill turned off the speakers, chained his bike, and took Henry inside.

From "The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora" by Pablo Cartaya

Related Words

• bike