motorcycle

American  

[moh-ter-sahy-kuhl] / ˈmoʊ tərˌsaɪ kəl /

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.

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verb (used without object)

motorcycled, motorcycling

1. to ride on or operate a motorcycle.

motorcycle British  

/ ˈməʊtəˌsaɪkəl /

noun

1. Also called: motorbike.  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

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verb

1. to ride on a motorcycle

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• motorcyclist
  noun

Etymology

Origin of motorcycle

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

Explanation

A motorcycle is a vehicle with two wheels, an engine, and no pedals. Don't forget to wear a helmet when you jump on your motorcycle! Like a bicycle, a motorcycle has two wheels, but while you power your bike by pedaling, a motorcycle's motor takes care of that. All you have to do is keep it full of gasoline. Motorcycles don't burn as much fuel as most cars, so they are a major form of transportation in many cities. Unfortunately, they're also much more dangerous. When motorcycles were invented in the 19th century, they were also sometimes called motocycles.

Example Sentences

His family said he was going to collect a motorcycle from a mechanic's shop in his hometown of Milagro.

From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026

But to the motorcycle business, e-motos are the biggest source of young riders since baby boomers fell for inexpensive Japanese dirt bikes in the 1960s and 1970s.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 7, 2026

Among the video’s more surreal moments are depictions of Trump riding a camel through the desert, traveling through India on a motorcycle, appearing as an anime-style warrior and sharing tacos with world leaders.

From Salon • Jun. 6, 2026

McFall, who lost his leg in a motorcycle accident when he was 19, was selected by the European Space Agency in 2022 for a study on physically disabled astronauts.

From BBC • Jun. 2, 2026

If he could somehow get hold of the pieces of his motorcycle, and if he could manage to nip off a strand of Miss K’s strong hair, perhaps he could tie his motorcycle together again.

From "Ralph S. Mouse" by Beverly Cleary