pedal

1 of 3

noun

ped·​al ˈpe-dᵊl How to pronounce pedal (audio)
plural pedals
1
a
: a lever pressed by the foot in the playing of a musical instrument (such as an organ or piano)
b
: an electronic device that is usually pressed by the foot and that alters or loops the sound of an amplified voice or musical instrument
a guitar pedal
an effects pedal
a wah-wah pedal
2
: a foot lever or treadle by which a part is activated in a mechanism
a bike's pedals

pedal

2 of 3

adjective

ped·​al
1
ˈpe-dᵊl How to pronounce pedal (audio)
 also  ˈpē-
: of or relating to the foot
2
ˈpe-dᵊl How to pronounce pedal (audio) : of, relating to, or involving a pedal

pedal

3 of 3

verb

ped·​al ˈpe-dᵊl How to pronounce pedal (audio)
pedaled also pedalled; pedaling also pedalling ˈpe-dᵊl-iŋ How to pronounce pedal (audio)
ˈped-liŋ

intransitive verb

1
: to ride a bicycle
2
: to use or work a pedal

transitive verb

: to work the pedals of

Examples of pedal in a Sentence

Verb He was pedaling as fast as he could. He pedaled down to the store.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
That aircraft – the 737 Next Generation – uses a rudder pedal system. Pete Muntean, CNN, 7 Mar. 2024 Currently marked down to just $35, the best-selling spin mop and bucket has a pedal at the base that wrings the mop. Isabel Garcia, Peoplemag, 1 Mar. 2024 The fragrance’s name, according to Interview Magazine, referenced the electric guitar pedal that holds a note before fading out. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 31 Jan. 2024 The steering feedback still felt pretty good for what this vehicle is and the brake pedal actually seemed to have a bit more feedback than in the Blazer. Sam Abuelsamid, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024 The floor-hinging pedals don’t travel quite as far as a 964 when new, allowing for more precise modulation of the clutch, brake, and throttle while up and downshifting. Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 21 Feb. 2024 The high-regeneration mode can be too aggressive, even for a driver like me who appreciates the ability to slow the vehicle to a complete stop without using the brake pedal. Dan Carney, Popular Science, 1 Feb. 2024 Patterson Mill girls basketball An inclined guitar riff bellows, shook by this legendary song’s wah-wah pedal as the Huskies storm the court. Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 29 Jan. 2024 Many cyclists start among the historic surrounds of Sassi di Matera and pedal towards the coast. Andrea Romano, Travel + Leisure, 26 Jan. 2024
Adjective
The Elite model has a hotel-style key card and a sport mode that tweaks steering, pedal response and ambient lighting. Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 22 Feb. 2024 The bike delivers three modes of transport: manual pedal mode, three-stage pedal-assist mode (with speeds that top at 10, 15, and 20 miles per hour), and throttle mode, which delivers a boost of speed for six to eight seconds. Nathan Borchelt, Travel + Leisure, 16 Feb. 2024 In most states, with few exceptions, people riding a pedal bike or an e-bike are held to the same rules of the road as other vehicles including trucks and cars and other things. Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 4 Jan. 2024 Fender Shields Blender Despite being a staple for both guitars and amps, Fender isn’t exactly known for having amazing pedal offerings. Spin Contributor, SPIN, 1 Feb. 2024 Turtle Beach has unveiled its first wheel and pedal system designed for racing simulators, following the company’s debut into gaming simulation hardware with the VelocityOne Flight in 2021. Jess Weatherbed, The Verge, 16 Jan. 2024 For example, pedal 27 miles north from Bentonville to Seligman, just across the state line in Missouri. Cindy Hirschfeld, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2023 The enormous carbon-ceramic stoppers, with 16.1-inch rotors up front, certainly help, part of a new brake-by-wire system introduced after Aventador customers complained about the amount of pedal travel before engagement. Sean Evans, Robb Report, 25 Nov. 2023 What to Consider Some users find the pedal strap to be too big. Sarah Kester, Travel + Leisure, 16 Nov. 2023
Verb
This helmet is a solid choice for both downhill and enduro riders, with Mips technology, an EPS liner, and a lightweight shell that doesn't compromise on protection while offering enough airflow for some uphill pedaling thanks to the intake and exhaust vents that help move air. Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 9 Feb. 2024 Five minutes of vigorous pedaling yields about one knitted inch. Julia Couzens, Sacramento Bee, 30 Jan. 2024 The Ramblas reminded me of the advantages of a hardtail versus a full-suspension mountain bike: quicker handling, better feedback from the back wheel and enhanced climbing power with no rear shock to hamper pedaling energy. William Roberson, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 The northern route is similarly spectacular, taking in views of downtown West Palm Beach, the Flagler Museum, people pedaling bikes and strolling along Palm Beach Lake Trail, Palm Beach Country Club, and some of the country’s most prestigious waterfront estates. Terry Ward, Travel + Leisure, 15 Jan. 2024 The high gears, however, came up a bit short, as there was no way to pedal fast enough to exert force when the assist was maxed out. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 15 Dec. 2023 Early designs reportedly nixed the inclusion of a steering wheel and pedals entirely, before eventually settling for somewhat more realistic goals. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 24 Jan. 2024 Not so with EVs, which respond differently to pedal pressure. Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 19 Jan. 2024 But 10 years into their investment, the motto these days is to keep pedaling. Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 20 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pedal.' 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

borrowed from Middle French pedalle "pedal of an organ," borrowed from Italian pedale, earlier, "base of a tree trunk," going back to Latin pedālis "one foot long" (as noun pedāle "footwear") — more at pedal entry 2

Adjective

borrowed from Latin pedālis "one foot long," from ped-, pēs "foot" + -ālis -al entry 1; (sense 2) from attributive use of pedal entry 1 — more at foot entry 1

Verb

derivative of pedal entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1618, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1883, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pedal was in 1611

Dictionary Entries Near pedal

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

pedal

1 of 2 noun
ped·​al ˈped-ᵊl How to pronounce pedal (audio)
: a lever (as on a piano, bicycle, or sewing machine) worked by the foot

pedal

2 of 2 verb
pedaled also pedalled; pedaling also pedalling
ˈped-ᵊl-iŋ,
-liŋ
1
: to use or work the pedals of something
2
: to ride a bicycle
Etymology

Noun

from early French pedale "a foot lever on an organ," from Italian pedale (same meaning), from Latin pedalis "of the foot," from ped-, pes "foot" — related to pedestrian

Medical Definition

pedal

adjective
ped·​al
ˈped-ᵊl also ˈpēd-
: of or relating to the foot

More from Merriam-Webster on pedal

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