bicycle

1 of 2

noun

bi·​cy·​cle ˈbī-si-kəl How to pronounce bicycle (audio)
-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 How to pronounce bicycle (audio)
-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 How to pronounce bicycle (audio)
-ˌsi-
 also  -ˌsī-
noun
bicyclist
ˈbī-si-klist How to pronounce bicycle (audio)
-ˌsi-
 also  -ˌsī-
noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Other unusual incidents like tying a whale head to the roof of his car and hitting a bear cub with his bicycle before hiding it in Central Park added to controversy around him. Ross O'Keefe, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 14 Dec. 2024 The open plus sign points to a shelter and charging stations for employees' bicycles. Renae Gregoire, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
Verb
The top activities at the national level are boating and fishing and RVing, while the fastest-growing are bicycling, snow sports and hunting. John Frank, Axios, 6 Dec. 2024 The top activities at the national level are boating and fishing and RVing, while the fastest growing are bicycling, snow sports and hunting. John Frank, Axios, 27 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for bicycle 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of bicycle was in 1868

Dictionary Entries Near bicycle

Cite this Entry

“Bicycle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bicycle. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

bicycle

1 of 2 noun
bi·​cy·​cle ˈbī-ˌsik-əl How to pronounce bicycle (audio)
-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 How to pronounce bicycle (audio)
: to ride a bicycle
bicycler noun
bicyclist noun

More from Merriam-Webster on bicycle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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