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.

---

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

---

verb

1. to ride on a motorcycle

Other Word 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

Local media report that Orla Wates, 19, was travelling the Ha Giang Loop in northern Vietnam when she fell from the back of a motorcycle.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

Many tour operators suggest riding on the back of a motorcycle with a local guide at the helm, particularly for inexperienced riders.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

“The advantage of Chinese humanoid startups is the access to their broad supply chain,” Kei Onishi, chairman of Yamaha Motor Ventures, a Silicon Valley-based unit of the Japanese motorcycle maker, said last year.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

Formula One also has a substantial growth runway, they say, with the potential to significantly ramp up monetization for MotoGP, the world’s premier motorcycle racing championship.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

“That’s your old motorcycle noise. You’ve got to make a sports car noise to make a sports car move.”

From "Ralph S. Mouse" by Beverly Cleary