moped

1 of 2

noun

mo·​ped ˈmō-ˌped 

plural mopeds

: a lightweight, low-powered motorbike that can be pedaled

The difference between a moped and a scooter is like the difference between an economy car and full-sized coupe. A scooter has comfy footrests instead of pedals and a luxurious seat seemingly long enough to accommodate a family of four.

—Kelly Whiteside

broadly : any low-powered motorbike

The Motorman may fit the legal definition of a moped, but it has no pedals. The drivetrain is fully electric.

—Rene Chun

A moped is defined as either a pedal bicycle with a helper motor or a non-pedal bicycle with a motor, which has all of the following characteristics: Have a cylinder capacity of no more than 50 cubic centimeters. Have an automatic transmission. Be capable of a maximum speed of no more than 30 miles per hour. Comply with all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards.

—Mass.gov

moped

2 of 2

past tense of mope entry 1

Examples of moped in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The city says e-bikes are allowed but e-motorcycles and mopeds are not. — Brian Sherrod, CBS News, 17 June 2026

The fatal hit-and-run occurred less than two hours after a 13-year-old boy was killed riding on the back of a moped in Queens after his friend slammed into an open car door and then careened into a moving truck. — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 30 June 2026

Police are investigating a collision involving a moped and an SUV that initially left the scene on Tuesday evening in New London. — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 17 June 2026

The officers contend federal prosecutors pursued a politically motivated case against them following the 2020 death of Karon Hylton-Brown, a 20-year-old moped rider who was fatally struck by a civilian vehicle while fleeing police in Northwest Washington. — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 8 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Swedish, from motor motor + pedal pedal

First Known Use

Noun

1954, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for moped

• eloped
• coped
• doped
• groped
• hoped
• loped
• roped
• scoped
• sloped
• telescoped

Kids Definition

moped

noun

mo·​ped ˈmō-ˌped 

: a lightweight low-powered motorbike that can be pedaled