peloton

¹ American  

[pel-uh-ton, pel-uh-ton, plaw-tawn] / ˈpɛl əˌtɒn, ˌpɛl əˈtɒn, plɔˈtɔ̃ /

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.

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peloton ² American  

[pel-uh-ton, pel-uh-ton, plaw-tawn] / ˈpɛl əˌtɒn, ˌpɛl əˈtɒn, plɔˈtɔ̃ /

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.

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peloton British  

/ ˈpɛləˌtɒn /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of peloton¹

First recorded in 1935–40; from French: literally, “little ball (especially of thread), small body of soldiers”; see also 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; see pellet, peloton ¹

Example Sentences

“The peloton is a tricky thing,” said Vaughters.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 16, 2026

Vine also avoided another crash as the peloton jockeyed for position in a windy section of the course as the temperatures soared to 40C.

From Barron's • Jan. 24, 2026

Someone finally barks “Get him!” as a bunch of agents feebly give chase; the man pedals away like he’s a Tour de France champion with a peloton hot on his trail.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 8, 2025

The Vuelta - won by Denmark's Jonas Vingegaard - was affected by protests across at least eight stages of the race, leading to crashes in the peloton and organisers having to end stages early.

From BBC • Sep. 19, 2025

Mon peloton fit un feu si vif que l'ennemi en parut étonné; il grossit insensiblement et les Sauvages voyant que mon attaque faisait cesser les crís de l'ennemi revinrent à moi.

From Montcalm and Wolfe by Parkman, Francis