unicycle
Americannoun
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:
A man on a unicycle brandished a sign, inspired by J.R.R.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 8, 2026
She has since been a staple at NBA games and numerous other athletic events, with her signature routine of using her feet to flip bowls onto her head while balancing high on her unicycle.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 2, 2025
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
His advice to those interested in buying an electric unicycle, which sell for more than $2,000: wear protective and reflective gear, and be respectful of pedestrians.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 24, 2022
She’s laughing, it seems, at Dad, who’s next to her on top of a unicycle, his arms out to the sides for balance.
From "I'll Give You the Sun" by Jandy Nelson
They've taught salsa lessons, handed out snacks, and ridden unicycles, as armed law enforcement look on.
From BBC ● Dec. 27, 2025
You as the actor have to balance — we’re put on unicycles where it’s very real and shockingly narcissistic.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 24, 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
Following this event, we started to notice more e-bikes, e-scooters, and electric unicycles joining our mix of both production and DIY electric skateboards.
From The Verge ● Aug. 12, 2022
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 opted for the freedom of the road and the greater freedom of mountain unicycling.
From Washington Times ● Oct. 8, 2022
On Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m., at Grant’s tomb in Morningside Heights, the festival’s conclusion will offer instruction and youth-size equipment for children who want to give unicycling a whirl.
From New York Times ● Sep. 2, 2021
A daredevil geologist finds fitness bliss landing 13-foot drops while unicycling down uneven terrain.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2018
I also had the confidence to take part in a freestyle routine at the national championships and am now unicycling to work and back once a week.
From The Guardian ● Dec. 30, 2016
Rollerblading leads to hover boarding which leads to electric unicycling.
From Economist ● Aug. 11, 2016
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.
