bicycle

1 of 2

noun

bi·​cy·​cle ˈbī-si-kəl How to pronounce bicycle (audio)
-ˌsi-,
 also  -ˌsī-
: a vehicle with two wheels tandem, handlebars for steering, a saddle seat, and pedals by which it is propelled
also : a stationary exercise machine that resembles such a vehicle

bicycle

2 of 2

verb

bicycled; bicycling ˈbī-si-k(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce bicycle (audio)
-ˌsi-,
 also  -ˌsī-

intransitive verb

: to ride a bicycle

transitive verb

: to move (one's legs) as if pedaling a bicycle
Naomi and I lay on the bed, bicycling our legs in the air in the lazy giggly manner of summer …Sophie Masson
bicycler
ˈbī-si-klər How to pronounce bicycle (audio)
-ˌsi-
 also  -ˌsī-
noun
bicyclist
ˈbī-si-klist How to pronounce bicycle (audio)
-ˌsi-
 also  -ˌsī-
noun

Examples of bicycle in a Sentence

Noun the range of the boy's explorations vastly expanded when he acquired his first bicycle
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The parking will be in a five-level garage that’s part of the building, along with 45 racks and five storage lockers for bicycles. Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Mar. 2024 In addition to selling and repairing bicycles, the business has also served craft beers, ciders, seltzers, soft drinks and pizza at its indoor bar located near its front door, with Pewaukee Lake in full view beyond. Jim Riccioli, Journal Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2024 Montalcino is arguably best experienced by bicycle, with views of hilly vineyards and meandering farm animals serving as your peripheral scenery while en route to a visit to Fortezza di Montalcino. Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 12 Mar. 2024 They’re used in road signs and bicycle reflectors, for instance, to ensure headlights reflect to drivers’ eyes. Rachel Ramirez, CNN, 11 Mar. 2024 Murphy plays a slender and soulful bicycle courier who wakes up from a coma to discover that the world has been upended by a virus that turns people into inhuman, ravenous monsters. Danny Horn, EW.com, 7 Mar. 2024 Szabo estimated that bicycle upgrades under HLA would cost $1.1 billion, while sidewalk improvements would add $2 billion. Rachel Uranga, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2024 The trail is also one of the few routes within the park where bicycles are allowed. Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 5 Mar. 2024 Supply chains have healed enough to tame prices for all sorts of goods, from electronics to bicycles. Rachel Siegel, Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2024
Verb
Starr was bicycling in the outbound right lane near the curb. Josh Bergeron, Charlotte Observer, 25 Feb. 2024 Scouting for turkeys can be as simple as driving, bicycling or walking along a road or trail, stopping and calling every now and then and listening for gobbles. Steve Waters, Miami Herald, 9 Feb. 2024 The resulting transportation problem can then be solved with green socialism: mass carpooling plus bicycling and walking. WSJ, 27 Oct. 2023 Suzanne Kreiter/Globe Staff Julie Craven used to bicycle nearly 4 miles across Cambridge to her job as a middle school principal. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 28 Aug. 2023 The Globe presents the U.S. premiere of this London-born 2022 musical by Freya Catrin Smith and Jack Williams, inspired by the true story of Annie Londonderry, an American woman who became the first woman to bicycle around the world in 1895. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2023 When Gloria San Miguel was struck by a SUV while bicycling on the 11th Street bridge that connects Newport and Covington, her fiancé saw the whole thing happen. Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 5 Sep. 2023 Dressed in a black suit and listening to Verdi on his headphones, Kempton would bicycle to arraignments at Foley Square and interviews at the Ravenite Social Club, on Mulberry Street. David Remnick, The New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2023 Freewheelin' Community Bikes Inc. provides education, used bicycles and tools, parts and other materials to at-risk youth with the goal of making bicycling accessible and affordable and empowering youth through mentorship. Holly V. Hays, The Indianapolis Star, 3 Apr. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bicycle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, from bi- + -cycle (as in tricycle)

First Known Use

Noun

1868, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1869, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of bicycle was in 1868

Dictionary Entries Near bicycle

Cite this Entry

“Bicycle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bicycle. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

bicycle

1 of 2 noun
bi·​cy·​cle ˈbī-ˌsik-əl How to pronounce bicycle (audio)
-ˌsīk-
: a light vehicle with two wheels behind one another, handlebars, a saddle seat, and pedals by which it is made to move

bicycle

2 of 2 verb
bicycled; bicycling -ˌsik(-ə)-liŋ How to pronounce bicycle (audio)
: to ride a bicycle
bicycler noun
bicyclist noun

More from Merriam-Webster on bicycle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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