tricycle

[ trahy-si-kuhl, -sik-uhl ]

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.

  1. a three-wheeled motorcycle.

Origin of tricycle

1
From French, dating back to 1820–30; see origin at tri-, cycle

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use tricycle in a sentence

  • We play dodge ball, ride giant tricycles, and craft homespun jalopies for the adult soapbox derby.

  • Twenty-four gasoline-cars started, and three propelled by steam, and there were five gasoline-tricycles.

    The Automobilist Abroad | M. F. (Milburg Francisco) Mansfield
  • “It must have taken them years of training and concentration to master those tricycles,” she continued in high-pitched soliloquy.

  • There are all sorts of pretty little favours to be had of bicycles, tricycles, and tandems, which will serve as souvenirs.

    Gala Day Luncheons | Caroline Benedict Burrell
  • In a few minutes half a dozen little green tricycles where whirling round the curve.

    Archie's Mistake | G. E. Wyatt
  • There was a general turning round of tricycles, and in a few minutes the little party were making their way towards the palace.

    Archie's Mistake | G. E. Wyatt

British Dictionary definitions for tricycle

tricycle

/ (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

Derived forms of tricycle

  • tricyclist, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012