bicycle

1 of 2

noun

bi·​cy·​cle ˈbī-si-kəl 

-ˌsi-,

 also  -ˌsī-

: a vehicle with two wheels tandem, handlebars for steering, a saddle seat, and pedals by which it is propelled

also : a stationary exercise machine that resembles such a vehicle

bicycle

2 of 2

verb

bicycled; bicycling ˈbī-si-k(ə-)liŋ 

-ˌsi-,

 also  -ˌsī-

intransitive verb

: to ride a bicycle

transitive verb

: to move (one's legs) as if pedaling a bicycle

Naomi and I lay on the bed, bicycling our legs in the air in the lazy giggly manner of summer …

—Sophie Masson

bicycler

ˈbī-si-klər 

-ˌsi-

 also  -ˌsī-

noun

bicyclist

ˈbī-si-klist 

-ˌsi-

 also  -ˌsī-

noun

Synonyms

Noun

• bike
• cycle
• push-bike [British]
• push bicycle
• two-wheeler
• velocipede [archaic]

Examples of bicycle in a Sentence

Noun

the range of the boy's explorations vastly expanded when he acquired his first bicycle

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Sheriff’s deputies responded to reports of a traffic collision involving a car and a bicycle on Holly Street near the Highway 101 overpass on Saturday morning. —Nollyanne Delacruz, The Mercury News, 19 Nov. 2024

Much of the island is not accessible by car, and a bicycle is the best means of getting around and exploring. —Jo Rodgers, Vogue, 4 Nov. 2024

Verb

The Kansas City Chiefs tight end, 34, was spotted bicycling through the city — which is the latest stop on his girlfriend Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour and — amid some down time on Saturday, July 6. —Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 6 July 2024

Slip and fall Before and during her trouble-free pregnancy, Lucido ran, lifted weights and bicycled. —Sandra G. Boodman, Washington Post, 22 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, from bi- + -cycle (as in tricycle)

First Known Use

Noun

1868, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1869, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing bicycle

• bicycle shorts
• electric bicycle
• exercise bicycle
• mountain bicycle
• stationary bicycle
• tandem bicycle

Kids Definition

bicycle

1 of 2 noun

bi·​cy·​cle ˈbī-ˌsik-əl 

-ˌsīk-

: a light vehicle with two wheels behind one another, handlebars, a saddle seat, and pedals by which it is made to move

bicycle

2 of 2 verb

bicycled; bicycling -ˌsik(-ə)-liŋ 

: to ride a bicycle

bicycler

-lər 

noun

bicyclist

-ləst 

noun