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

It began with a bicycle crash in June 2023 when I broke 10 ribs - but that led to me discovering a much bigger health challenge.

From BBC

Using mobile smart sensors on bicycles to measure temperature and humidity across 114 green spaces in 15 cities worldwide, the research team examined their combined effects across wet and dry urban regions.

From Science Daily

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

From BBC

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

From BBC

There was no official estimate of the number of bicycles on the road on Friday night.

From BBC

Related Words

• bike