bicycle

American  

[bahy-si-kuhl, -sik-uhl, -sahy-kuhl] / ˈbaɪ sɪ kəl, -ˌsɪk əl, -ˌsaɪ kəl /

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.

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verb (used without object)

bicycled, bicycling

1. to ride a bicycle.

verb (used with object)

bicycled, bicycling

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

bicycle British  

/ ˈbaɪsɪkəl /

noun

1. Often shortened to: cycle.   bike.  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

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verb

1. (intr) to ride a bicycle; cycle

Other Word Forms

• bicycler noun
• bicyclist noun

Etymology

Origin of bicycle

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

Explanation

A bicycle is a two-wheeled vehicle that's propelled by foot pedals and steered with handlebars. They say you never forget how to ride a bicycle once you learn. When you travel to places like Amsterdam and Beijing you'll see people of all ages using bicycles as their major form of transportation. The word bicycle is also a verb, as in "I think I'll bicycle over to the bakery and buy some muffins." The word bicycle was coined in the 19th century from a combination of the Greek bi, or "two," and kyklos, "wheel."

Example Sentences

A swarm of at least 10,000 bees has been removed from under the saddle of a bicycle parked outside a metro station in front of the Louvre museum in Paris.

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026

Gareth Williams, 33, described how toddler Indie loved "scooting around the house" on her little bike, so decided to buy a child's seat and handlebar to attach to his own bicycle.

From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026

Human flight went from myth to reality on a cold morning in 1903, when two self-taught bicycle mechanics took a 12-second, 120-foot flight.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

The event sold ticket-holders a big dream, including an ’80s-themed neon roller-skating party, an interactive Barbie Dream House, a bicycle course and a free glam bar.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

If only Mom and Dad would buy me a bicycle, I could ride up there in no time.

From "The (Mostly) True Story of Cleopatra's Needle" by Dan Gutman

Related Words

• bike