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

When the bicycle is being used in ebike form, all of the parts are left in place to work together. —Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2024

Melancholy piano music plays over images of an upturned bicycle and a set of empty playground swings. —Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 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