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.

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tricycle British  

/ ˈtraɪsɪkəl /

noun

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

2. a three-wheeler for invalids

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verb

1. (intr) to ride a tricycle

Other Word Forms

• tricyclist noun

Etymology

Origin of tricycle

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

Example Sentences

But the increases did not extend to the country's hundreds of thousands of tricycle drivers, who earn money by carrying passengers down narrow, winding alleys on small motorbikes and carriages.

From Barron's • Mar. 17, 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

He also confirmed the arrest of other people who were seen with "inappropriate haircuts", wearing shorts above the knee and tricycle drivers mixing male and female passengers.

From BBC • Mar. 3, 2025

I was 3 years old, pedaling with pride as I showed her my newfound skill — riding a tricycle.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 15, 2024

He pushed the pedals with his feet, rode the tricycle into a bush, got off, and left it there, mashing the rhododendron.

From "All About Sam" by Lois Lowry