bicycle

1 of 2

noun

bi·​cy·​cle ˈbī-si-kəl How to pronounce bicycle (audio)
-ˌsi-
also -ˌsī-
Synonyms of bicyclenext
: a vehicle with two wheels tandem, handlebars for steering, a saddle seat, and pedals by which it is propelled
also : a stationary exercise machine that resembles such a vehicle

bicycle

2 of 2

verb

bicycled; bicycling ˈbī-si-k(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce bicycle (audio)
-ˌsi-
also -ˌsī-

intransitive verb

: to ride a bicycle

transitive verb

: to move (one's legs) as if pedaling a bicycle
Naomi and I lay on the bed, bicycling our legs in the air in the lazy giggly manner of summer …—Sophie Masson
bicycler
ˈbī-si-klər How to pronounce bicycle (audio)
-ˌsi-
also -ˌsī-
noun
bicyclist
ˈbī-si-klist How to pronounce bicycle (audio)
-ˌsi-
also -ˌsī-
noun

Synonyms of bicycle

Relevance

Noun

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of bicycle in a Sentence

Noun the range of the boy's explorations vastly expanded when he acquired his first bicycle
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
One of the resources pulled was the Pedestrian and Bicycle Crash Analysis Tool, which was designed to capture information on cars, bicycles, and pedestrians, according to the outlet. — Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026 Authorities are looking for the driver who fled Wednesday night after striking and killing a bicyclist who had stopped to repair her bicycle on Franklin Boulevard in south Sacramento, the California Highway Patrol said. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2026
Verb
Those who took part swam 1,500 meters in Lake Michigan, bicycled nearly 25 miles, and then ran a 10k. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 23 Aug. 2026 In an email to this news organization, Saratoga Mayor Chuck Page said the Safe Routes to School plan identifies walking and bicycling routes to Saratoga schools and recommends improvements to increase safety along those routes as funding permits. — Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bicycle

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, from bi- + -cycle (as in tricycle)

First Known Use

Noun

1868, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1869, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of bicycle was in 1868

Phrases Containing bicycle

Rhymes for bicycle

See All Rhymes for bicycle

Browse Nearby Words

bicuspid valve
bicycle
bicycle gear
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bicycle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bicycle. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

bicycle

1 of 2 noun
bi·​cy·​cle ˈbī-ˌsik-əl How to pronounce bicycle (audio)
-ˌsīk-
: a light vehicle with two wheels behind one another, handlebars, a saddle seat, and pedals by which it is made to move

bicycle

2 of 2 verb
bicycled; bicycling -ˌsik(-ə)-liŋ How to pronounce bicycle (audio)
: to ride a bicycle
bicycler
-lər How to pronounce bicycle (audio)
noun
bicyclist
-ləst How to pronounce bicycle (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on bicycle

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bicycle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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