peloton

¹

[ pel-uh-ton, pel-uh-ton; French plaw-tawn ]

noun

, Cycling.

1. a large pack or cluster of bicyclists in a road race, riding closely together to reduce wind resistance and conserve their energy.

peloton

²

[ pel-uh-ton, pel-uh-ton; French plaw-tawn ]

noun

1. an ornamental glass made in Bohemia in the late 19th century, usually having a striated overlay of glass filaments in a different color.

peloton

/ ˈpɛləˌtɒn /

noun

1. cycle racing the main field of riders in a road race

Word History and Origins

Origin of peloton¹

First recorded in 1935–40; from French: literally, “little ball (especially of thread), small body of soldiers”; platoon ( def ), peloton ²

Origin of peloton²

First recorded in 1710–20; from French: literally, “ball, ball of string,” equivalent to pelote “ball” + -on diminutive suffix; pellet, peloton ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of peloton¹

C20: French, literally: pack

Example Sentences

The suite has everything from a peloton cycle to a hot tub for eight.

From Washington Blade

The peloton then tackles a series of hilly and flat stages across northeastern France, before heading into the Vosges.

From Outside Online

Green means “conservative,” when you’re sitting in the peloton saving energy.

From Outside Online

In fact, he may have been the only person in the entire pro road peloton with the ability to do it.

From Outside Online

A rider will lead the race alone for a hundred-some-odd kilometers and then get gobbled up by the charging peloton just meters from the finish.

From Outside Online

He never could get past a climb among the 50 to 80 best in the peloton.

From The Daily Beast

He said riders have always considered Armstrong two years ahead of the peloton when it came to doping.

From The Daily Beast

I gave twenty francs to the troopers of my peloton to drink my health, and I did not forget my friends Titi and Piatte.

From Project Gutenberg

Sergeants drill the men of their peloton, and are responsible to their Lieutenant for the horses of their peloton.

From Project Gutenberg

Whenever the peloton is ordered to assemble, the Sergeant passes through the rooms to see that the troopers are getting ready.

From Project Gutenberg

By de Lanoy's advice I gave Titi five francs to buy a two-gallon jar of wine for the troopers belonging to my peloton.

From Project Gutenberg

He granted de Lanoy's request, and put me in his peloton, ordering him at the same time to assign me a bed.

From Project Gutenberg