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.

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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

And she’s recently cut the ribbon on Café do Capa, an open-air capybara-themed stop along the cycling path.

From Slate • May 27, 2026

When he isn’t chasing a story, Bozeman is usually outdoors rock climbing, cycling, and hiking, or curled up with a good book.

From Los Angeles Times • May 26, 2026

A columnist tested Hypershell’s X Ultra S, a $1,999 AI-powered bionic leg booster for hiking and cycling.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026

Aside from more jobs in areas such as construction, gardening, human resources and science, "benefits" would include "improved bus links, cycling routes, flood resilience, and biodiverse landscaping".

From BBC • May 19, 2026

In the window there are posters of a man cycling, a woman in ski gear, and a man and woman running side by side, with celebrity smiles and zero sweat.

From "They Both Die at the End" by Adam Silvera