plural pedals
1
a
: a lever pressed by the foot in the playing of a musical instrument (such as an organ or piano)
b
: an electronic device that is usually pressed by the foot and that alters or loops the sound of an amplified voice or musical instrument
a guitar pedal
an effects pedal
a wah-wah pedal
2
: a foot lever or treadle by which a part is activated in a mechanism
a bike's pedals
ped·al
pedaled also pedalled; pedaling also pedalling
ˈpe-dᵊl-iŋ 
ˈped-liŋ
: to work the pedals of
Examples of pedal in a Sentence
Verb
He was pedaling as fast as he could.
He pedaled down to the store.
Recent Examples on the Web
New Atlas, 13 Feb. 2025
Since the vehicle's launch in 2019, the truck has faced complaints about rust, finger pinches and defective accelerator pedals.
—Bobby Allyn, NPR, 13 Feb. 2025
Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 11 Feb. 2025
Marcella Gruelle died at the age of 13 from a smallpox vaccination, ironically as her father had been granted approval for a patent for his doll called Raggedy Ann.
1920s: Radio Flyer, Lincoln Logs, pedal cars, Tinker Toys, and the Gilbert Chemistry Kit that included an experiment for explosives.
—Dawn Mitchell, The Enquirer, 26 Dec. 2024
Shauna Farnell, The Denver Post, 29 Jan. 2025
In addition to the best trails to pedal on, the map details Port Angeles’ art, culture and history offerings, including the Uptown Arts District, which offers the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center, Field Arts and Events Hall, Juan De Fuca Foundation and more.
—Emma Kershaw, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for pedal
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Noun
The technology, known as hydraulic brake-by-wire, removes the mechanical link between the brake system and the brake pedal.
—New Atlas, 13 Feb. 2025
Since the vehicle's launch in 2019, the truck has faced complaints about rust, finger pinches and defective accelerator pedals.
—Bobby Allyn, NPR, 13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
Always wear your helmet, and practice riding your bike with pedal assist and throttle on quiet streets and areas before taking it to busier places.
—Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 11 Feb. 2025
Marcella Gruelle died at the age of 13 from a smallpox vaccination, ironically as her father had been granted approval for a patent for his doll called Raggedy Ann.
1920s: Radio Flyer, Lincoln Logs, pedal cars, Tinker Toys, and the Gilbert Chemistry Kit that included an experiment for explosives.
—Dawn Mitchell, The Enquirer, 26 Dec. 2024
Verb
Fat biking in Gunnison or Crested Butte Home of the Fat Bike Worlds, where hundreds of competitors (many in costume) come to compete and party on fat bikes and where the event’s 10th anniversary takes place Jan. 24-26, there is no better place to pedal two wheels on snow.
—Shauna Farnell, The Denver Post, 29 Jan. 2025
In addition to the best trails to pedal on, the map details Port Angeles’ art, culture and history offerings, including the Uptown Arts District, which offers the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center, Field Arts and Events Hall, Juan De Fuca Foundation and more.
—Emma Kershaw, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for pedal
Cite this Entry
“Pedal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pedal. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pedal
1 of 2 noun
ped·al
ˈped-ᵊl
: a lever (as on a piano, bicycle, or sewing machine) worked by the foot
pedal
2 of 2 verb
pedaled also pedalled; pedaling also pedalling
ˈped-ᵊl-iŋ,
-liŋ
1
: to use or work the pedals of something
2
: to ride a bicycle
Etymology
Noun
from early French pedale "a foot lever on an organ," from Italian pedale (same meaning), from Latin pedalis "of the foot," from ped-, pes "foot" — related to pedestrian
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