penny-farthing

American  

[pen-ee-fahr-thing] / ˈpɛn iˌfɑr ðɪŋ /

noun

British.

1. a high bicycle of an early type, with one large wheel in front and one small wheel behind.

---

penny-farthing British  

noun

1. US name: ordinary.  an early type of bicycle with a large front wheel and a small rear wheel, the pedals being attached to the front wheel

---

Etymology

Origin of penny-farthing

From a comparison of the size difference between the two bicycle wheels to the size difference between an old British penny and a farthing

Example Sentences

Still, that someone who dresses like a Victorian gentleman on a penny-farthing can wrap his head around digital currency speaks to the power of the past to inform the present.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 2, 2026

Don’t let the name fool you: You don’t need a penny-farthing or other gigantic bike — rather, the giganticness comes from the sheer number of bikes.

From Seattle Times • May 23, 2023

Some feel threatened by the rising popularity of e-bikes, as though standard bikes will suddenly vanish like the penny-farthing once everyone goes electric.

From The Verge • Oct. 10, 2019

Pride parade along Santa Monica Boulevard that featured colorful floats and people dancing, singing, walking on stilts and some riding penny-farthing bicycles and electric scooters.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2019

You were a year writing that story of yours, and you haven't had a penny-farthing for it yet.

From The Foolish Lovers by Ervine, St. John G. (St. John Greer)