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

Detectives scouring the area recovered surveillance footage of the hit-and-run driver both on the moped and off, without the orange jacket. —Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 1 Dec. 2024

Twelve years from now he gets flattened by a moped on West End Avenue. —William Baldwin, Forbes, 23 Nov. 2024

Officers responded around 9 p.m. Oct. 30 to the 1200 block of McCulloh Street in the Upton neighborhood and found two male teenagers were riding a moped that collided with a Jeep, Baltimore Police said Oct. 31. —Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 7 Nov. 2024

Victims had their cellphones snatched from their hands and at least one robbery victim was assaulted by suspects riding mopeds and scooters, according police. —Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 3 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Swedish, from motor motor + pedal pedal

First Known Use

Noun

1954, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

moped

noun

mo·​ped ˈmō-ˌped 

: a lightweight low-powered motorbike that can be pedaled