bicycle

[bahy-si-kuh l, -sik-uh l, -sahy-kuh l] /ˈbaɪ sɪ kəl, -ˌsɪk əl, -ˌsaɪ kəl/

noun

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), bicycled, bicycling.

to ride a bicycle.

verb (used with object), bicycled, bicycling.

to ship or transport directly by bicycle or other means.

Origin

1865-70; < French; see bi-¹, cycle

Related forms

bicyclist, bicycler, noun

Examples from the web for bicycle

Another one is the track of a bicycle pedal, when the bicycle is traveling at right angles to your line of sight.
Some find it quicker to ride a bicycle and weave through the cars than to take the bus or drive a private vehicle.
Many bicycle deaths result from bicycle-motor vehicle collisions.
The bicycle has the right of way when the motor vehicle is making a turn, and you must yield to bicycle.
IN winter, many people prefer a stationary cycle to an outdoors bicycle.
For a city to improve bicycle safety, the prescription actually is to put even more riders on the streets.
One gallery suggests guests arrive at the opening on their bicycle of choice.
Invest in a good bicycle and use it as much as possible.
The bicycle part is pretty standard, if outlandishly styled.
After a summer of their dreams, bicycle store owners are facing a grim reality this winter.

British Dictionary definitions for bicycle

bicycle

/ˈbaɪsɪkəl/

noun

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

(intransitive) to ride a bicycle; cycle

Derived Forms

bicyclist, bicycler, noun

Word Origin

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

Word Origin and History for bicycle

1868, coined from bi- "two" + Greek kyklos "circle, wheel" (see cycle (n.)), on the pattern of tricycle; both the word and the vehicle superseding earlier velocipede. The English word probably is not from French, though often said to be (many French sources say the French word is from English). The assumption apparently is because Pierre Lallement, employee of a French carriage works, improved Macmillan's 1839 pedal velocipede in 1865 and took the invention to America. See also pennyfarthing. As a verb, from 1869.

That ne plus ultra of snobbishness -- bicyclism. [1876]

Slang definitions & phrases for bicycle

bicycle

Related Terms

get on one's bicycle