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

Both victims were both thrown from their mopeds by the blistering impact. —Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 12 Aug. 2025

Two men wearing ski masks fled the scene on a moped and are being sought. —Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 2 Aug. 2025

The passenger slinks off the moped before the driver flees the scene. —Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2025

New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the 42-year-old officer was injured after he was approached by two men on a moped while sitting with a woman in a park under the George Washington Bridge just before midnight. —Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 21 July 2025

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