pedal

1 of 3

noun

ped·​al ˈpe-dᵊl 

plural pedals

1

a

: a lever pressed by the foot in the playing of a musical instrument (such as an organ or piano)

b

: an electronic device that is usually pressed by the foot and that alters or loops the sound of an amplified voice or musical instrument

a guitar pedal

an effects pedal

a wah-wah pedal

2

: a foot lever or treadle by which a part is activated in a mechanism

a bike's pedals

pedal

2 of 3

adjective

ped·​al

1

ˈpe-dᵊl 

 also  ˈpē-

: of or relating to the foot

2

ˈpe-dᵊl  : of, relating to, or involving a pedal

pedal

3 of 3

verb

ped·​al ˈpe-dᵊl 

pedaled also pedalled; pedaling also pedalling ˈpe-dᵊl-iŋ 

ˈped-liŋ

intransitive verb

1

: to ride a bicycle

2

: to use or work a pedal

transitive verb

: to work the pedals of

Examples of pedal in a Sentence

Verb

He was pedaling as fast as he could.

He pedaled down to the store.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The first challenge was sliding down into the seat and testing the pedals. —Trinity Francis, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024

Looking like a love child between an elliptical and a StairMaster—your feet stay on the pedals the whole time, but just go straight up and down rather than in arcs—the viral gadget is compact, portable, and typically pretty budget-friendly. —Jennifer Heimlich, SELF, 16 Oct. 2024

Adjective

Make an entire evening out of your visit by sipping a pint at the beer garden, playing games, gliding down the slides, racing on pedal go-karts and more. —Sarah Kuta, The Denver Post, 3 Oct. 2024

There are three pedal assist levels, a manual gear shifter, a throttle, cruise control, a zip-up storage compartment underneath the seat, comfortable saddle, and durable tires. —Scott Kramer, Forbes, 29 Sep. 2024

Verb

Situated closer to the action in South Lake Tahoe, this second location offers private beach access on its namesake lake; a saltwater pool, jacuzzi, and pool bar; sauna and cold shower plunge; fitness center with Peloton bikes; and complimentary bikes for pedaling around the area. 4. —Beth Luberecki, USA TODAY, 1 Oct. 2024

Having set off from the U.S. ambassador's residence in Dublin on Monday, the hardy group made its way across Ireland’s lush, rolling hills pedaling its way to 17 fire stations and a fair few pubs along the way. —Kelly Cobiella, NBC News, 11 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from Middle French pedalle "pedal of an organ," borrowed from Italian pedale, earlier, "base of a tree trunk," going back to Latin pedālis "one foot long" (as noun pedāle "footwear") — more at pedal entry 2

Adjective

borrowed from Latin pedālis "one foot long," from ped-, pēs "foot" + -ālis -al entry 1; (sense 2) from attributive use of pedal entry 1 — more at foot entry 1

Verb

derivative of pedal entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1618, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1883, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing pedal

• gas pedal
• pedal boat
• pedal bone
• pedal-note
• pedal point
• pedal pushers
• pedal steel
• pedal steel guitar
• put the pedal to the metal
• reverb pedal
• soft pedal

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