bicycle

[ bahy-si-kuhl, -sik-uhl, -sahy-kuhl ]

noun

1. a vehicle with two wheels in tandem, usually propelled by pedals connected to the rear wheel by a chain, and having handlebars for steering and a saddlelike seat.

verb (used without object)

, bi·cy·cled, bi·cy·cling.

1. to ride a bicycle.

verb (used with object)

, bi·cy·cled, bi·cy·cling.

1. to ship or transport directly by bicycle or other means.

bicycle

/ ˈbaɪsɪkəl /

noun

1. informal.
   a vehicle with a tubular metal frame mounted on two spoked wheels, one behind the other. The rider sits on a saddle, propels the vehicle by means of pedals that drive the rear wheel through a chain, and steers with handlebars on the front wheel Often shortened tocyclebike

verb

1. intr to ride a bicycle; cycle

Derived Forms

• ˈbicyclist, noun

Other Words From

• bicy·clist bicy·cler noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of bicycle¹

From French, dating back to 1865–70; bi- ¹, cycle

Word History and Origins

Origin of bicycle¹

C19: from bi- ¹+ Late Latin cyclus , from Greek kuklos wheel

Example Sentences

He was later captured by police while riding a bicycle on a canal towpath in west London.

From BBC

He stole a hat from a Mountain Warehouse store, and started using a bicycle he found, his trial heard previously.

From BBC

"As he machine gunned across it went through my bicycle wheel and missed me entirely."

From BBC

Eddy said his father landed, hid his parachute and stole a bicycle to get "as far away as possible", ending up in a barn.

From BBC

But even though I bike on the beach at other times, I’d never thought of riding a few extra blocks to avoid the last two miles of congestion and enjoy a beautiful bicycle ride through paradise every workday.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bike