unicycle
Americannoun
-
unicycles
plural
verb (used without object)
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of unicycle
Explanation
You might see a unicyle, or a bicycle-like vehicle with only one wheel, ridden by a clown at the circus. It's harder to ride a unicycle than a bicycle, since you have to balance on a single wheel. Acrobats and other performers often ride unicycles and sometimes even do tricks like balancing on a tightrope while perched on the seat of a unicycle. The Latin prefix uni gives you a clue about the meaning of this word, since it means "one." In unicycle, it's combined with "cycle," which comes from the Greek word kyklos, "circle or wheel."
Vocabulary lists containing unicycle
Power Prefix: uni-
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uni-
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Florida's B.E.S.T. Common Prefixes: uni-
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Lucas wanted to see a life-size replica of the all-terrain unicycle, so the museum made one, fanged and ferocious.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 8, 2026
It stocks household items, equipment and tools, as well as some more unusual items including bunting, a unicycle and a popcorn maker.
From BBC ● Jun. 4, 2026
A man on a unicycle brandished a sign, inspired by J.R.R.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 8, 2026
Other days you might see a dog wearing an LED collar or a kid riding an electric unicycle to school and feel momentarily convinced that, yes, the future is actually here.
From Washington Post ● Sep. 27, 2022
They reached the front of the stage, and Miss Spink leaped nimbly off the unicycle, and the two old women bowed low.
From "Coraline" by Neil Gaiman
They've taught salsa lessons, handed out snacks, and ridden unicycles, as armed law enforcement look on.
From BBC ● Dec. 27, 2025
On racks behind the school, there are enough bicycles, unicycles and inline skates for every student.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 8, 2023
The journalist Luke Bailey tweeted images of AI-generated unicycles that were laughably off base.
From Washington Post ● Mar. 31, 2023
Off road-ready unicycles represent close to 70% of sales at leading retailer Unicycle.com, of which he is general manager.
From Washington Times ● Oct. 8, 2022
Hoverboards, skateboards, scooters, motorcycles, mopeds, unicycles, tricycles… you name it, we’ve ridden it.
From The Verge ● Oct. 10, 2019
Based in Michigan, Torrans has unicycled the likes of Pikes Peak’s Barr Trail and the Whole Enchilada, the full-day epic in Moab.
From Washington Times ● Oct. 8, 2022
He’s been mountain unicycling for more than 15 years.
From Washington Times ● Oct. 8, 2022
A daredevil geologist finds fitness bliss landing 13-foot drops while unicycling down uneven terrain.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2018
I started unicycling with the rest of my family about 12 years ago, but every week it felt like I was starting all over again, while others progressed.
From The Guardian ● Dec. 30, 2016
Rollerblading leads to hover boarding which leads to electric unicycling.
From Economist ● Aug. 11, 2016
Practitioners say unicycling is also good for improved balance and muscle tone.
From New York Times ● Aug. 28, 2010
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
