archaic
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

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 In the late eighteen-sixties, New Yorkers took up the velocipede, a primitive version of the bicycle. John Seabrook, The New Yorker, 19 Apr. 2021 Oakland Pedal Tours offers free velocipede shuttles between breweries, which are also within walking distance. Lisa Herendeen, The Mercury News, 9 Sep. 2019 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 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 The velocipede, or Michaudine, was the first bicycle with pedals. Austin Murphy, SI.com, 24 July 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
  • Imagine a child learning to ride a bike: no manual, just trial, error, and the joy of balance.
    Paul X. McCarthy, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
  • There are no cars are allowed on Bald Head Island, but visitors are able to move around with golf carts or bikes.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • April 7 Residential burglary: Between 7:30 p.m. on April 6 and 9 a.m. on April 7, someone entered the open garage of a residence in the 20000 block of Herriman Avenue and stole a bicycle for a total loss valued at approximately $3,167.
    Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Behind the cars, the lush lawn was sprinkled with lounge chairs, yard games, and bicycles parked off to the side.
    Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Velocipede.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/velocipede. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

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