bicycle

[ bahy-si-kuh l, -sik-uh l, -sahy-kuh l ]

/ ˈbaɪ sɪ kəl, -ˌsɪk əl, -ˌsaɪ kəl /

noun

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), bi·cy·cled, bi·cy·cling.

to ride a bicycle.

verb (used with object), bi·cy·cled, bi·cy·cling.

to ship or transport directly by bicycle or other means.

Nearby words

bicorporal, bicultural, biculturalism, bicuspid, bicuspid valve, bicycle, bicycle chain, bicycle clip, bicycle kick, bicycle motocross, bicycle path

Origin of bicycle

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

Related forms

bi·cy·clist, bi·cy·cler, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for bicyclist

The body of Sylvain Mollier, 45, a French bicyclist, was also found riddled with bullets outside the car.
Breakthrough In Alps Family Murder Case|Barbie Latza Nadeau|February 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The body of Sylvain Mollier, 45, a French bicyclist, was also found outside the car.
Plot Thickens in Grisly French Alps Murders|Barbie Latza Nadeau|October 29, 2012|DAILY BEAST
After a few minutes a bicyclist swished along through the mud, taking the far side of the road, which was comparatively free.
The Matador of the Five Towns and Other Stories|Arnold Bennett
Then, riding like the wind, out from behind the racing car shot a bicyclist.
The Outdoor Girls in a Motor Car|Laura Lee Hope

The bicyclist and the automobile were not then invented to torment him in his turn.
Paris from the Earliest Period to the Present Day; Volume 1|William Walton
C—The ground in front of a horse should not be taken until the bicyclist is at least ten yards ahead of him.
Handbook of Summer Athletic Sports|Various
The bicyclist without a glance rode on, and shortly after reached the lodge gates.
Hodge and His Masters|Richard Jefferies

British Dictionary definitions for bicyclist

bicycle

/ (ˈbaɪsɪkəl) /

noun

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 wheelOften shortened to: cycle, informal bike

verb

(intr) to ride a bicycle; cycle

Derived Forms

bicyclist or bicycler, noun

Word Origin for bicycle

C19: from bi- 1 + Late Latin cyclus, from Greek kuklos 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