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

Example Sentences

The couple were arrested while on a motorcycle trip on 3 January 2025 and later charged with spying, which the couple denies.

From BBC

She rides large motorcycles and has given her children nicknames like Sharky, Stonefish and Stingray.

From BBC

Ivanova’s husband is retired, and the couple enjoys taking motorcycle trips.

From The Wall Street Journal

A common, albeit not very lucrative, option: delivering food orders on bicycles or motorcycles.

From Los Angeles Times

In the city, there were few gasoline-powered cars and no buses running, but the streets were full of bicycles, electric motorcycles and three-wheeled electric vehicles used to transport people and goods.

From Salon