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

And seconds later, an armed assailant on a moped does. —Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 5 May 2025

There will also be DUI sobriety checkpoints in place and a suspension from renting or leasing golf carts and mopeds. —Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025

Outside, James Johnson looked at gas mopeds on display. —Jesse Coburn, Curbed, 31 Jan. 2025

Called Verge Next, the new business-to-business division will license Verge's technology to companies that manufacture electric bicycles, motorbikes, scooters, and mopeds. —New Atlas, 25 Apr. 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