motorcycle

[ moh-ter-sahy-kuhl ]

noun

1. a motor vehicle similar to a bicycle but usually larger and heavier, chiefly for one rider but sometimes having two saddles or an attached sidecar for passengers.

verb (used without object)

, mo·tor·cy·cled, mo·tor·cy·cling.

1. to ride on or operate a motorcycle.

motorcycle

/ ˈməʊtəˌsaɪkəl /

noun

1. Also calledmotorbike a two-wheeled vehicle, having a stronger frame than a bicycle, that is driven by a petrol engine, usually with a capacity of between 125 cc and 1000 cc

verb

1. to ride on a motorcycle

Derived Forms

• ˈmotorˌcyclist, noun

Other Words From

• mo·tor·cy·clist [moh, -ter-sahy-klist], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of motorcycle¹

An Americanism dating back to 1890–95; motor + cycle

Example Sentences

In the past five years, motorcycle-hailing apps have sprung up across Africa, competing to be the most popular “Uber for motorcycles.”

From Ozy

You can hardly go wrong with two beautiful actors on a nighttime motorcycle ride.

From Time

On his last day before he was stripped of his command, he ordered his troops to open fire on three Afghan men standing by a motorcycle on the side of the road who he said posed a threat.

From Washington Post

Freelancer Luis Alonzo Almendares was shot three times by two unidentified individuals on a motorcycle in September in Comayagua.

From Fortune

Beginning in the late 1940s, Honda built itself into the biggest motorcycle manufacturer in the world by reinventing the category away from gigantic, intimidating machines for tough guys and into bikes that were small and friendly for everyone.

From Outside Online

Dutch and German motorcycle gangs got a lot of publicity saying they were fighting against the so-called Islamic State in Syria.

From The Daily Beast

In 1970, Hunter S. Thompson was dispatched to report on a motorcycle race in Las Vegas.

From The Daily Beast

The Boss even threw in an hour of guitar lessons, a lasagna dinner, and a ride in the sidecar of his motorcycle for good measure.

From The Daily Beast

Her backpack is even stolen by somebody riding along on a motorcycle.

From The Daily Beast

But 1% Motorcycle Clubs have been running guns and drugs for a long time.

From The Daily Beast

From the year 1902 to 1909, the style of their motorcycle remained substantially the same in appearance.

From Project Gutenberg

Foreign countries have contributed little or nothing to the development of the motorcycle.

From Project Gutenberg

The commercial motorcycle is said to be gaining widespread favor, and therein lies its greatest future.

From Project Gutenberg

It appeared at the Madison Square Garden in two forms, as a single motorcycle and as a motor tandem.

From Project Gutenberg

Manufacture of the motorcycle upon a commercial scale forthwith commenced in the bicycle manufactory at Springfield, Mass.

From Project Gutenberg