Copy Citation
Hear a word and type it out. How many can you get right?
TAKE THE QUIZ1
: a lever pressed by the foot in the playing of a musical instrument (such as an organ or piano)
2
: a foot lever or treadle by which a part is activated in a mechanism
a bike's pedals
ped·al
pedaled also pedalled; pedaling also pedalling
ˈpe-dᵊl-iŋ 
ˈped-liŋ
: to work the pedals of
Example Sentences
Verb
He was pedaling as fast as he could.
He pedaled down to the store.
Recent Examples on the Web
Edward Segarra, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2023
Playing pedal-to-the-metal, head-rattling, screaming-down-the-interstate hoops.
—Los Angeles Times, 12 Feb. 2023
In 2023, and concerning Canada’s unique pedal-to-the-metal approach to assisted dying in particular – there remain many more questions than entirely satisfactory answers.
—Gus Alexiou, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2023
Take off on one of the loaner bikes and pedal to the nearby town of Guerneville for lunch, or grab an inner tube for a lazy float down the river.
—Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Aug. 2022
One foot off the pedal can send several cars spinning and looking for a clear path to run, which may not exist.
—Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2023
The Rebels kept the pedal pressed to open the second half, extending its lead on a 6-0 run before Bob Jones made its first field goal of the third quarter.
—Evan Dudley, al, 16 Feb. 2023
The Pacers didn't take the foot off the pedal in the fourth quarter and remarkably came within seven points of taking the lead.
—Dustin Dopirak, The Indianapolis Star, 28 Jan. 2023
The Frogs have had one heck of a season, but now is not the time to take their foot off the gas pedal.
—Dallas News, 26 Nov. 2022
Kevin Smith, Car and Driver, 4 Mar. 2023
Class 2 also offers pedal-assist up to 20 mph, but also has a throttle-powered mode.
—Dan Cavallari, Popular Mechanics, 3 Mar. 2023
Bart Graves, a department spokesperson, later said that a motorcycle trooper stopped a man riding a pedal bike near 24th Street and Thomas for a traffic infraction and discovered the man had an outstanding warrant for a misdemeanor.
—Perry Vandell, The Arizona Republic, 2 Mar. 2023
Smith and Seth McCarroll launched Old Blood in 2014, and the duo spent most of the last decade creating one of the most unique and complex guitar effects pedal companies on the market.
—Josh Chesler, SPIN, 1 Mar. 2023
Equipment on each expedition ship for exploring the natural environment includes military-grade special operations boats, zodiacs, and polar kayaks with a pedal system to facilitate photography.
—Johanna Read, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2023
Two of Robert Schumann’s Op. 58 Sketches, composed for pedal piano, were delivered with apt swagger.
—Dallas News, 15 Feb. 2023
That view is of the one thing that is more ubiquitous now in downtown Nashville than pedal taverns: an unfinished skyscraper.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 15 Feb. 2023
But a step-up from there comes pedal hydrostatic or continuously variable transmission (CVT) operated by a shift-on-the-go hand lever.
—Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, 5 May 2022
Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2023
Hop on a beach cruiser to pedal along downtown streets.
—Outside Online, 4 Jan. 2023
Over 1,000 bicycle riders hit the track every Tuesday night to pedal around the circuit.
—Bruce Martin, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2022
Mountain bikers especially will want to pedal over to Bayou Wilds, a section in the southwest part of Memorial Park that has eight unpaved trails.
—Rebecca Treon, Chron, 12 Oct. 2022
In the new format, inspired by the reusable SpaceX Falcon rocket, riders must ride straight uphill, stop, then slowly pedal backward to the starting ramp.
—The Editors, Outside Online, 1 Nov. 2022
Arizona Party Bike offers a 14-passenger party bike where bachelorette babes can pedal around Old Town Scottsdale to three bars listening to their favorite music.
—Sofia Krusmark, The Arizona Republic, 14 Sep. 2022
Over 50 cyclists got an opportunity to pedal for a cause at the spinning class gymnasium conducted at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale.
—Emmett Hall, Sun Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2022
Vintage has made sure this lag doesn't happen on the Roadster; the transition from throttle to pedal assist is silky smooth.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 19 Oct. 2022
See More
Noun
Country music newcomer Breland is a pedal-to-the-metal sensation.
—Edward Segarra, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2023
Playing pedal-to-the-metal, head-rattling, screaming-down-the-interstate hoops.
—Los Angeles Times, 12 Feb. 2023
In 2023, and concerning Canada’s unique pedal-to-the-metal approach to assisted dying in particular – there remain many more questions than entirely satisfactory answers.
—Gus Alexiou, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2023
Take off on one of the loaner bikes and pedal to the nearby town of Guerneville for lunch, or grab an inner tube for a lazy float down the river.
—Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Aug. 2022
One foot off the pedal can send several cars spinning and looking for a clear path to run, which may not exist.
—Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2023
The Rebels kept the pedal pressed to open the second half, extending its lead on a 6-0 run before Bob Jones made its first field goal of the third quarter.
—Evan Dudley, al, 16 Feb. 2023
The Pacers didn't take the foot off the pedal in the fourth quarter and remarkably came within seven points of taking the lead.
—Dustin Dopirak, The Indianapolis Star, 28 Jan. 2023
The Frogs have had one heck of a season, but now is not the time to take their foot off the gas pedal.
—Dallas News, 26 Nov. 2022
Adjective
Power steering and low-effort shifting and pedal action give the Storm a light, nimble feel.
—Kevin Smith, Car and Driver, 4 Mar. 2023
Class 2 also offers pedal-assist up to 20 mph, but also has a throttle-powered mode.
—Dan Cavallari, Popular Mechanics, 3 Mar. 2023
Bart Graves, a department spokesperson, later said that a motorcycle trooper stopped a man riding a pedal bike near 24th Street and Thomas for a traffic infraction and discovered the man had an outstanding warrant for a misdemeanor.
—Perry Vandell, The Arizona Republic, 2 Mar. 2023
Smith and Seth McCarroll launched Old Blood in 2014, and the duo spent most of the last decade creating one of the most unique and complex guitar effects pedal companies on the market.
—Josh Chesler, SPIN, 1 Mar. 2023
Equipment on each expedition ship for exploring the natural environment includes military-grade special operations boats, zodiacs, and polar kayaks with a pedal system to facilitate photography.
—Johanna Read, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2023
Two of Robert Schumann’s Op. 58 Sketches, composed for pedal piano, were delivered with apt swagger.
—Dallas News, 15 Feb. 2023
That view is of the one thing that is more ubiquitous now in downtown Nashville than pedal taverns: an unfinished skyscraper.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 15 Feb. 2023
But a step-up from there comes pedal hydrostatic or continuously variable transmission (CVT) operated by a shift-on-the-go hand lever.
—Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, 5 May 2022
Verb
The exosphere’s the limit for a group of traveling salespeople who pedal lunar timeshares in Apple TV+’s retro-futuristic dramedy.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2023
Hop on a beach cruiser to pedal along downtown streets.
—Outside Online, 4 Jan. 2023
Over 1,000 bicycle riders hit the track every Tuesday night to pedal around the circuit.
—Bruce Martin, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2022
Mountain bikers especially will want to pedal over to Bayou Wilds, a section in the southwest part of Memorial Park that has eight unpaved trails.
—Rebecca Treon, Chron, 12 Oct. 2022
In the new format, inspired by the reusable SpaceX Falcon rocket, riders must ride straight uphill, stop, then slowly pedal backward to the starting ramp.
—The Editors, Outside Online, 1 Nov. 2022
Arizona Party Bike offers a 14-passenger party bike where bachelorette babes can pedal around Old Town Scottsdale to three bars listening to their favorite music.
—Sofia Krusmark, The Arizona Republic, 14 Sep. 2022
Over 50 cyclists got an opportunity to pedal for a cause at the spinning class gymnasium conducted at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale.
—Emmett Hall, Sun Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2022
Vintage has made sure this lag doesn't happen on the Roadster; the transition from throttle to pedal assist is silky smooth.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 19 Oct. 2022
See More
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pedal.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle French pedale, from Italian, from Latin pedalis, adjective
Adjective
Latin pedalis, from ped-, pes
First Known Use
Noun
1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adjective
1618, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1883, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1
Phrases Containing pedal
Dictionary Entries Near pedal
Cite this Entry
“Pedal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pedal. Accessed 27 Mar. 2023.
Kids Definition
pedal
1 of 2 noun
ped·al
ˈped-ᵊl
: a lever (as on a piano, bicycle, or sewing machine) worked by the foot
pedal
2 of 2 verb
pedaled also pedalled; pedaling also pedalling
ˈped-ᵊl-iŋ,
-liŋ
1
: to use or work the pedals of something
2
: to ride a bicycle
Etymology
Noun
from early French pedale "a foot lever on an organ," from Italian pedale (same meaning), from Latin pedalis "of the foot," from ped-, pes "foot" — related to pedestrian
Medical Definition
pedal
adjective
ped·al
ˈped-ᵊl also ˈpēd-
: of or relating to the foot
More from Merriam-Webster on pedal
Nglish: Translation of pedal for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of pedal for Arabic Speakers
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
-
Name That Flower
Can you tell the difference between a lilac and a...
Take the quiz
-
Are You Feeling Lucky?
A charming quiz about fortunate and unfortunate w...
Take the quiz
-
Spell It
Hear a word and type it out. How many can you get...
Take the quiz
-
Spelling Bee Quiz
Can you outdo past winners of the National Spelli...
Take the quiz
Share