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Synonyms

bicycle

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

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 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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. (intr) to ride a bicycle; cycle

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • bicycler noun
  • bicyclist noun

Etymology

Origin of bicycle

From French, dating back to 1865–70; 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."

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Vocabulary lists containing bicycle

List 5

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bi-

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Spelling Practice, Unit 7

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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.

The event sold ticket-holders a big dream, including an ’80s-themed neon roller-skating party, an interactive Barbie Dream House, a bicycle course and a free glam bar.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

“All I want to do is share bicycle safety awareness,” Fetzer said.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 29, 2026

He also rides in a popular 100-mile bicycle race called Hotter’N Hell.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 16, 2026

"He was the oldest man I'd ever seen riding a bicycle, I was the only man he'd ever seen who should never have come to Oxford."

From BBC • Mar. 2, 2026

She pulled her bicycle off me and inspected it for damage.

From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler

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.