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

• 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

The newly launched motorcycle probably needs to evolve further in terms of battery size, charging and comfort to appeal to mainstream customers, they add.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

As for Mr. Dylan, following a 1966 motorcycle accident he retrenched and issued “John Wesley Harding,” an almost aggressively minimalist departure from the maximalist work that preceded it.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

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

Ricky Margate, 57, told AFP he had driven a motorcycle to the site this year instead of his car because it consumes less fuel.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

Duke raises the tinted visor on his motorcycle helmet.

From "Dog Squad" by Chris Grabenstein