moped

American

[moh-ped] / ˈmoʊˌpɛd /

noun

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

moped British

/ ˈməʊpɛd /

noun

a light motorcycle, not over 50cc

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of moped

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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

Amy said that learning to ride the moped was "an extremely enjoyable experience."

From BBC • Jan. 18, 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

When they passed the Bothill house, Specimen moped out to join them.

From "Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher" by Bruce Coville

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023