tricycle

American  

[trahy-si-kuhl, -sik-uhl] / ˈtraɪ sɪ kəl, -ˌsɪk əl /

noun

1. a vehicle, especially one for children, having one large front wheel and two small rear wheels, propelled by foot pedals.

2. a velocipede with three wheels propelled by pedals or hand levers.

3. a three-wheeled motorcycle.

---

tricycle British  

/ ˈtraɪsɪkəl /

noun

1. a three-wheeled cycle, esp one driven by pedals

2. a three-wheeler for invalids

---

verb

1. (intr) to ride a tricycle

Other Word Forms

• tricyclist
  noun

Etymology

Origin of tricycle

From French, dating back to 1820–30; see origin at tri-, cycle

Explanation

For many kids, their first vehicle is a tricycle, or a small three-wheeled bike. Though a child's riding toy is what the word tricycle brings to mind, there are also adult-sized three-wheeled tricycles. A tricycle is safer and more stable than a bicycle with its two wheels, and some older or disabled people enjoy riding them. The original meaning of tricycle, in 1828, was "three-wheeled carriage," from the Greek treis, "three," and kyklos, "circle or wheel."

Example Sentences

“A child’s tricycle can physically be driven on an interstate, but we do not allow it because of the risks of using the technology in that environment,” they wrote.

From MarketWatch • May 1, 2026

She and her husband usually take turns pushing their 18-month-old daughter in a tricycle along the pathway and get their steps in.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 6, 2026

Among the AI-generated images that have gone viral is one of a little girl with curly hair on a tricycle.

From Barron's • Jan. 27, 2026

As compensation, Baird’s family gave her an adult tricycle that she occasionally rides through the streets wearing a neon purple helmet.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 22, 2025

Only a few people were watching at first, and half of them were Heck’s Angels, a roving tricycle gang of four- and five-year-olds.

From "Maniac Magee" by Jerry Spinelli