Showing results for "cycling"

• present participle of cycle.

cycling

American  

[sahy-kling] / ˈsaɪ klɪŋ /

noun

1. the act or sport of riding or traveling by bicycle, motorcycle, etc.

2. Also called bicycle race.  Also called bicycle racing.  Sports. a race on lightweight bicycles with low handlebars, conducted for specified distances or against time on a dirt or board track or over public roads between cities.

---

Etymology

Origin of cycling

First recorded in 1935–40; cycle + -ing ¹

Explanation

When you ride a bicycle, you are cycling. Sometimes, though less often, it also is used to refer to motorcycle riding. The roots of the word cycling are ancient. Both Latin and Greek have similar words that mean "circle, wheel." It's only natural, then, that a two-wheeled vehicle should be a bicycle and that cycling involves riding that vehicle. Occasionally, it can be used as a verb describing something going through a cycle, like a dishwasher cycling through.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cycling

When the bike is rolling-idling and coasting, the deactivation cycling is noticeable; throttle tip-in seems just a bit flat.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 29, 2026

“When safe cycling infrastructure goes in, then you see a lot more women, a lot more marginalized communities, also children, elderly people, people with disabilities,” Roach said.

From Salon ● Aug. 27, 2026

Authorities in the Aude department in south-west France cancelled the third stage of the Vuelta a Espana cycling race in the area after a hailstorm in the French Pyrenees forced riders to seek shelter.

From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026

Feeling dizzy and unwell after cycling to work in Japan's punishing summer heat, warehouse worker Isao Tabuchi headed for his company's newest acquisition: a refrigerator for humans.

From Barron's ● Aug. 25, 2026

She was cycling through the options in her mind—how could she get there?

From "The 57 Bus" by Dashka Slater