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:
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
Niu suffered a broken arm more than a decade ago after falling backwards off her unicycle while practicing.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 2, 2025
One study found that participants were half as likely to notice a clown on a unicycle — a cheeky touch — while walking and talking on a phone.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 28, 2024
Some guys can get away with stink—tall guys, sporty guys, guys who have something else they can be known for, like that guy who learned to unicycle.
From "Wayward Creatures" by Dayna Lorentz
The regulations also cover other electric transportation devices, such as electric unicycles and hoverboards.
From BBC ● Aug. 8, 2026
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
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
The staff at Rad said, aside from skateboards, scooters, bikes and rollerblades, they have also seen unicycles and even someone in a wheelchair riding and doing tricks in their park.
From Washington Times ● Dec. 27, 2016
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
A daredevil geologist finds fitness bliss landing 13-foot drops while unicycling down uneven terrain.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2018
Rollerblading leads to hover boarding which leads to electric unicycling.
From Economist ● Aug. 11, 2016
Just to raise the temperature a little, catch our clip of extreme mountain unicycling – it's not just dangerous, it's totally crazy.
From The Guardian ● Feb. 15, 2013
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.
