penny-farthing

[ pen-ee-fahr-thing ]

noun

, British.

1. a high bicycle of an early type, with one large wheel in front and one small wheel behind.

penny-farthing

noun

1. an early type of bicycle with a large front wheel and a small rear wheel, the pedals being attached to the front wheel US nameordinary

Word History and Origins

Origin of penny-farthing¹

From a comparison of the size difference between the two bicycle wheels to the size difference between an old British penny and a farthing

Word History and Origins

Origin of penny-farthing¹

C20: so called because of the similarity between the relative sizes of the wheels and the relative sizes of the (old) penny and farthing coins

Example Sentences

Don’t let the name fool you: You don’t need a penny-farthing or other gigantic bike — rather, the giganticness comes from the sheer number of bikes.

From Seattle Times

At the time, the penny-farthing’s supersized front wheel offered more cycling efficiency than its predecessor, the velocipede—and also threatened taller falls for riders.

From Slate

A traditional race in Prague saw enthusiasts riding penny-farthing bicycles, while in northern England a statue of the late Queen Elizabeth II was unveiled.

From Seattle Times

Instead of Uber Eats drivers blocking traffic outside restaurants and buses idling at stoplights, 18th Street NW will be filled with diners enjoying restaurants alfresco and families doing yoga together while an entertainer riding a big-wheeled penny-farthing cycles past.

From Washington Post

There’s a QR code on the menu cover, in the space where you once gazed at an illustration of a Victorian gentleman posing with his penny-farthing.

From Washington Post