as in bike
a two-wheeled vehicle that is propelled by the use of pedals and steered through the use of handlebars
a museum with an interesting collection of 19th-century velocipedes
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of velocipede
My next bike, the red-and-yellow Big Wheel, had a lot in common with a velocipede known as the penny-farthing, which was invented in the eighteen-seventies.
—
The New Yorker, 23 May 2022
Oakland Pedal Tours offers free velocipede shuttles between breweries, which are also within walking distance.
—Lisa Herendeen, The Mercury News, 9 Sep. 2019
And whereas Snead might view the velocipede as a vehicle on which to multitask, a more cynical observer could find a metaphor here for the GM’s tenure.
—Greg Bishop, SI.com, 24 Oct. 2017
While there are competing claims for the first true motorcycle, this one is a Roper steam velocipede (or at least a very impressive re-creation).
—David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, 13 Apr. 2017
The New Yorker, 23 May 2022
Oakland Pedal Tours offers free velocipede shuttles between breweries, which are also within walking distance.
—Lisa Herendeen, The Mercury News, 9 Sep. 2019
And whereas Snead might view the velocipede as a vehicle on which to multitask, a more cynical observer could find a metaphor here for the GM’s tenure.
—Greg Bishop, SI.com, 24 Oct. 2017
While there are competing claims for the first true motorcycle, this one is a Roper steam velocipede (or at least a very impressive re-creation).
—David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, 13 Apr. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for velocipede
Noun
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Officer Justin Fetterly, a spokesperson for the CHP’s North Sacramento office, said two adult men were racing quad bikes when one rider lost control, struck a fence and thrown from the bike.—
Nicole Buss,
Sacbee.com,
12 May 2026
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Class 2 e-bikes have a throttle that allows users to operate them without pedaling, but the electric motors top out at 20 mph.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
Noun
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On the roadway, bicycle lanes will be widened from 4 to 6 feet on both sides.—
Megan Vaz,
Sun Sentinel,
14 May 2026
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An unknown vehicle driving west on Independence Ave then struck the bicycle, ejecting its rider completely off the bike, the crash log said.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Velocipede.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/velocipede. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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