bicycle

1 of 2

noun

bi·​cy·​cle ˈbī-si-kəl 

-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 

-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 

-ˌsi-

 also  -ˌsī-

noun

bicyclist

ˈbī-si-klist 

-ˌsi-

 also  -ˌsī-

noun

Synonyms

Noun

• bike

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

For instance, people on bicycles or skateboards may be asked to dismount and walk down the ramp into Buccaneer Park. —Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Aug. 2025

Bald Head Island, which landed at No. 91, is a car-free barrier island two miles off the coast of Southport reachable only by passenger ferry where visitors can explore natural surroundings by golf cart, bicycle or foot. —Evan Moore august 4, Charlotte Observer, 4 Aug. 2025

Verb

Anyone who has driven or bicycled around Indianapolis recently has doubtless had to swerve to avoid a pothole — or fallen into one. —Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 7 May 2025

In addition to its roughly 500 year-round residents, Mackinac Island draws in over 1 million visitors each year with activities ranging from grabbing a picture at stunning Arch Rock to tasting Mackinac fudge to bicycling around the island or touring historic Fort Mackinac. —Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 7 July 2025

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

Phrases Containing bicycle

• bicycle shorts
• electric bicycle
• exercise bicycle
• mountain bicycle
• stationary bicycle
• tandem bicycle

Rhymes for bicycle

• icicle

Kids Definition

bicycle

1 of 2 noun

bi·​cy·​cle ˈbī-ˌsik-əl 

-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 

: to ride a bicycle

bicycler

-lər 

noun

bicyclist

-ləst 

noun