pedal

[ ped-l peed-l ]

noun

1. a foot-operated lever used to control certain mechanisms, as automobiles, or to play or modify the sounds of certain musical instruments, as pianos, organs, or harps.
2. a leverlike part worked by the foot to supply power in various mechanisms, as the bicycle.
3. Music.
   1. a foot-operated keyboard, as on an organ or harpsichord.
   2. any of the keys of such a keyboard.
   3. pedal point.

verb (used without object)

, ped·aled, ped·al·ing or (especially British) ped·alled, ped·al·ling.

1. to work or use the pedals, as in playing an organ or propelling a bicycle.

verb (used with object)

, ped·aled, ped·al·ing or (especially British) ped·alled, ped·al·ling.

1. to work the pedals of (an organ, bicycle, etc.).

adjective

1. of or relating to a foot or the feet.
2. of or relating to a pedal or pedals.
3. using pedals:

   a pedal mechanism.

pedal

¹

/ ˈpiːdəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to the foot or feet

pedal

²

/ ˈpɛdəl /

noun

1. 1. any foot-operated lever or other device, esp one of the two levers that drive the chain wheel of a bicycle, the foot brake, clutch control, or accelerator of a car, one of the levers on an organ controlling deep bass notes, or one of the levers on a piano used to create a muted effect or sustain tone
   2. ( as modifier )

      a pianist's pedal technique

      a pedal cycle

verb

1. to propel (a bicycle, boat, etc) by operating the pedals
2. intr to operate the pedals of an organ, piano, etc, esp in a certain way
3. to work (pedals of any kind)

Word History and Origins

Origin of pedal¹

1605–15; (< French pédale ) < Latin pedālis of the feet. See ped- ², -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of pedal¹

C17: from Latin pedālis, from pēs foot

Origin of pedal²

C17: from Latin pedālis; see pedal ²

Idioms and Phrases

see soft pedal .

Example Sentences

I met Jane, and she had her foot on the gas pedal at 80.

From Los Angeles Times

Clearing his throat, Danson chimes in, at once teasing and sincere: “What I heard was the 50-and-under takeaway. I would like to add for the older folks: Keep your foot on the gas pedal. Live! This is your life until it ain’t. Go for it.”

From Los Angeles Times

James Dunn launched his business Back Pedal after his partner's bike was stolen.

From BBC

You make it a 15-point gap and keep your foot on the pedal.

From BBC

Who knows, you might even glimpse Arnold Schwarzenegger or Owen Wilson pedal past you on a bike.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• perform
• work