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

The researchers also found no strong evidence that weight cycling is responsible for the gradual long-term weight gain commonly seen in obesity.

From Science Daily • May 17, 2026

After examining the evidence, they found no convincing proof that weight cycling itself causes long-term harm in people with obesity.

From Science Daily • May 17, 2026

Some estimates suggest that a significant share of patients remain undiagnosed or misdiagnosed for years, often cycling through providers before receiving a clear explanation for their symptoms.

From Salon • May 16, 2026

Young said his next task might be to design a cycling prosthesis to enable him to do the triathlon.

From BBC • May 14, 2026

But for the locomotive idling and a compressor cycling to feed the brakes, the night was ghostly still.

From "Enrique's Journey" by Sonia Nazario