bicycle

[ bahy-si-kuhl, -sik-uhl, -sahy-kuhl ]
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noun
  1. a vehicle with two wheels in tandem, usually propelled by pedals connected to the rear wheel by a chain, and having handlebars for steering and a saddlelike seat.

verb (used without object),bi·cy·cled, bi·cy·cling.
  1. to ride a bicycle.

verb (used with object),bi·cy·cled, bi·cy·cling.
  1. to ship or transport directly by bicycle or other means.

Origin of bicycle

1
From French, dating back to 1865–70; see origin at bi-1, cycle

Other words from bicycle

  • bi·cy·clist, bi·cy·cler, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use bicycle in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for bicycle

bicycle

/ (ˈbaɪsɪkəl) /


noun
  1. a vehicle with a tubular metal frame mounted on two spoked wheels, one behind the other. The rider sits on a saddle, propels the vehicle by means of pedals that drive the rear wheel through a chain, and steers with handlebars on the front wheel: Often shortened to: cycle, informal bike

verb
  1. (intr) to ride a bicycle; cycle

Origin of bicycle

1
C19: from bi- 1 + Late Latin cyclus, from Greek kuklos wheel

Derived forms of bicycle

  • bicyclist or bicycler, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012