bike

¹

[ bahyk ]

noun

1. Informal.
   1. a bicycle.
   2. a motorbike.
   3. a motorcycle.
2. Harness Racing. a sulky with tires like those of a bicycle.

verb (used without object)

, biked, bik·ing.

1. to ride a bike:

   I bike to work.

bike

²

[ bahyk ]

noun

, Scot. and North England.

1. a colony, nest, or swarm of wild bees, wasps, or hornets.
2. a teeming crowd; swarm of people.

bike

¹

/ baɪk; bəɪk /

noun

1. a wasps' or bees' nest

verb

1. to swarm

bike

²

/ baɪk /

noun

1. informal.
   short for bicycle motorcycle
2. on your bike slang.
   away you go
3. get off one's bike slang.
   to lose one's self-control

noun

1. slang.
   a promiscuous woman

   the town bike

Word History and Origins

Origin of bike¹

1880–85, Americanism; alteration of bicycle

Origin of bike²

1250–1300; Middle English, equivalent to *bi bee (< Old Norse bȳ bee ¹ ) + *yeke, Old English gēoc help, safety

Word History and Origins

Origin of bike¹

C14: of uncertain origin

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. get off one's bike, Australian Informal. to lose control of oneself or become angry.

Example Sentences

Amare just had to “get back on the bike and start riding,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

In June, around the anniversary of my bike crash, I returned to the route I was on when I took a tumble.

From BBC

The city is long overdue for a comprehensive plan that outlines infrastructure needs and costs, including for regular maintenance and improvements to public works, such as bus shelters, landscaped medians and protected bike lanes.

From Los Angeles Times

A pick-up truck and quad bike were stolen from the farm and no arrests have been made so far, according to the police.

From BBC

Reporting from the scene, BBC News journalist Molly Brewer said she she could see a green bike lying on the ground.

From BBC

Related Words

• pedal