moped

American  

[moh-ped] / ˈmoʊˌpɛd /

noun

1. a motorized bicycle that has pedals in addition to a low-powered gasoline engine designed for low-speed operation.

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moped British  

/ ˈməʊpɛd /

noun

1. a light motorcycle, not over 50cc

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Etymology

Origin of moped

1955–60; < German, ultimately < Swedish ( trampcykel med ) mo ( tor och ) ped ( aler ) pedal cycle with engine and pedals

Explanation

A moped is a two-wheeled vehicle that can be powered by pedals or an engine. You might find it easier to get around the city on your moped than in a car. Although today there are some mopeds that don't have them, the earliest versions always included bicycle pedals. The word itself was coined in 1952 by a Swedish journalist, from trampcykel med motor och pedaler, literally "pedal cycle with motor and pedals." It's relatively easy to get a license to ride a moped, which is less powerful and slower than a motorcycle.

Example Sentences

Pulling up his laptop, Dallas shows off the art for a single: On a majestic winding Italian road, ian perches pensively on a white moped, in an all-white yacht outfit, barefoot.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 26, 2025

Housed in a former moped shop, the Virgil Village store offers a selection of novelty items and streetwear treasures, curated by both Kurata and Staunton.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 13, 2025

Video footage captured by a visitor at the park showed the motorcycle being ridden away, flanked by two moped scooters.

From BBC • Sep. 5, 2025

There, she meets a human-size cat, Anzu, who rides a moped and works part-time as a masseur.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 20, 2024

We strolled up to the moped, same as we’d done before.

From "The Season of Styx Malone" by Kekla Magoon