Showing Results for "cycling"

See Also:

• 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.

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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

Ross Adams, from Cycling UK, says it is a shame the route is not accessible to all.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026

"My second best sport I do is cycling since I'm 10. For a hobby biker who is not cycling in winter, I'm a really good endurance athlete. Cycling is my second life."

From Barron's • Feb. 22, 2026

A separate suit was filed by a New York wine importer and Terry Precision Cycling, which sells cycling apparel for women.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 20, 2026

Cycling through head coaches like Hollywood assistants who can’t perfect a Starbucks order is another symptom of college football’s sicko economy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 4, 2025

The alphabet, thankfully, is nowhere to be seen; if I saw Aa Bb I’d probably start the Cycling again.

From "It’s Kind of a Funny Story" by Ned Vizzini