moped

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noun

mo·​ped ˈmō-ˌped How to pronounce moped (audio)
plural mopeds
: a lightweight, low-powered motorbike that can be pedaled
The difference between a moped and a scooter is like the difference between an economy car and full-sized coupe. A scooter has comfy footrests instead of pedals and a luxurious seat seemingly long enough to accommodate a family of four.Kelly Whiteside
broadly : any low-powered motorbike
The Motorman may fit the legal definition of a moped, but it has no pedals. The drivetrain is fully electric. Rene Chun
A moped is defined as either a pedal bicycle with a helper motor or a non-pedal bicycle with a motor, which has all of the following characteristics: Have a cylinder capacity of no more than 50 cubic centimeters. Have an automatic transmission. Be capable of a maximum speed of no more than 30 miles per hour. Comply with all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards. Mass.gov

moped

2 of 2

past tense of mope entry 1

Examples of moped in a Sentence

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
In October, a 34-year-old Bronx man was killed when a charging lithium-ion moped battery set his kitchen on fire, officials said. Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 3 Dec. 2024 The man struck a mailbox belonging to a residence and was thrown from the moped, suffering serious injuries, state police said. Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 19 Nov. 2024 The use of e-bikes, cargo bikes, and mopeds has exploded since the pandemic and delivery workers rely on them for their livelihood. Jennifer Jacobs Dungs, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024 Gerald Yanez, 23, drove his moped past the Correction Department’s initial checkpoint in Astoria about 11:35 p.m. Monday, over the Francis R. Buono Memorial Bridge, which connects the island to Queens, and then evaded security and rolled through the heavily secure Gate 1 checkpoint. Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 22 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for moped 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Swedish, from motor motor + pedal pedal

First Known Use

Noun

1954, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of moped was in 1954

Dictionary Entries Near moped

Cite this Entry

“Moped.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/moped. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

moped

noun
mo·​ped ˈmō-ˌped How to pronounce moped (audio)
: a lightweight low-powered motorbike that can be pedaled

More from Merriam-Webster on moped

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