moped

American

[moh-ped] / ˈmoʊˌpɛd /

noun

a motorized bicycle that has pedals in addition to a low-powered gasoline engine designed for low-speed operation.

moped British

/ ˈməʊpɛd /

noun

a light motorcycle, not over 50cc

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of moped

1955–60; < German, ultimately < Swedish ( trampcykel med ) mo ( tor och ) ped ( aler ) pedal cycle with engine and pedals

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In some cities this week there were long queues of moped riders at petrol stations panic-buying fuel.

From BBC • Mar. 12, 2026

Pulling up his laptop, Dallas shows off the art for a single: On a majestic winding Italian road, ian perches pensively on a white moped, in an all-white yacht outfit, barefoot.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 26, 2025

Housed in a former moped shop, the Virgil Village store offers a selection of novelty items and streetwear treasures, curated by both Kurata and Staunton.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 13, 2025

Dwayne was 21 when he marched onto a council estate in east London to retrieve his stolen moped – one that had been lovingly built from scratch by him and his younger brother.

From BBC • Dec. 25, 2024

She and her mother hooked the wagon onto the back of the battered moped, loaded the wagon with the honey and cookies.

From "Bone Gap" by Laura Ruby

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023