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

Example Sentences

In early February, the transport ministry launched a pilot bus security unit in several cities including Jerusalem, where rapid-response motorcycle teams will work in coordination with police.

From Barron's

A day after Harley-Davidson reported quarterly earnings that disappointed Wall Street, the famed motorcycle maker got a warning that its debt ratings may be cut to junk by spring.

From MarketWatch

"The investigation found that rolling cargo like trucks and motorcycles didn't pass through the weighing station," he said.

From Barron's

And it possesses a strange power to turn Midwestern kids into motorcycles on ice.

From The Wall Street Journal

Harley-Davidson HOG -1.71%decrease; red down pointing triangle more than doubled its loss in the fourth quarter as motorcycle sales continued to slump.

From The Wall Street Journal