pedal

1 of 3

noun

ped·​al ˈpe-dᵊl How to pronounce pedal (audio)
plural pedals
1
a
: a lever pressed by the foot in the playing of a musical instrument (such as an organ or piano)
b
: an electronic device that is usually pressed by the foot and that alters or loops the sound of an amplified voice or musical instrument
a guitar pedal
an effects pedal
a wah-wah pedal
2
: a foot lever or treadle by which a part is activated in a mechanism
a bike's pedals

pedal

2 of 3

adjective

ped·​al
1
ˈpe-dᵊl How to pronounce pedal (audio)
also ˈpē-
 : of or relating to the foot
2
ˈpe-dᵊl How to pronounce pedal (audio) : of, relating to, or involving a pedal

pedal

3 of 3

verb

ped·​al ˈpe-dᵊl How to pronounce pedal (audio)
pedaled also pedalled; pedaling also pedalling ˈpe-dᵊl-iŋ How to pronounce pedal (audio)
ˈped-liŋ

intransitive verb

1
: to ride a bicycle
2
: to use or work a pedal

transitive verb

: to work the pedals of

Examples of pedal in a Sentence

Verb He was pedaling as fast as he could. He pedaled down to the store.
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
But that concern has been addressed here thanks to the aforementioned brake upgrades, which deliver confident stopping power at speed as well as excellent pedal feel. — Bradley Iger, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026 Unlike most e-bikes, which have a mechanical connection between pedals and wheels, the TM-B utilizes a pedal-by-wire system that connects to a generator; riders can charge its battery simply by pedaling and braking. — Charlotte Hu, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
Adjective
The bike also adapts to individual riding styles and personalizes pedal-assist in real time, and its body is modular so users can easily swap its seat and wheels to accommodate cargo or different terrain. — Charlotte Hu, Time, 15 Oct. 2026 Most people travel only a few miles from home on a typical day, while these bikes offer up to 80 miles of pedal-assist range or roughly 30 miles using the throttle alone. — Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026
Verb
Unlike most e-bikes, which have a mechanical connection between pedals and wheels, the TM-B utilizes a pedal-by-wire system that connects to a generator; riders can charge its battery simply by pedaling and braking. — Charlotte Hu, Time, 15 Oct. 2026 For the past four years, Da’Juan and Nikole Hill have watched kids pedal their bicycles down the sidewalk and pull open their front door, looking for a helping of sugar. — Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pedal

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from Middle French pedalle "pedal of an organ," borrowed from Italian pedale, earlier, "base of a tree trunk," going back to Latin pedālis "one foot long" (as noun pedāle "footwear") — more at pedal entry 2

Adjective

borrowed from Latin pedālis "one foot long," from ped-, pēs "foot" + -ālis -al entry 1; (sense 2) from attributive use of pedal entry 1 — more at foot entry 1

Verb

derivative of pedal entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1618, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1883, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pedal was in 1611

Phrases Containing pedal

Rhymes for pedal

See All Rhymes for pedal

Browse Nearby Words

pedagogy
pedal
pedalboard
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pedal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pedal. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

pedal

1 of 2 noun
ped·​al ˈped-ᵊl How to pronounce pedal (audio)
: a lever (as on a piano, bicycle, or sewing machine) worked by the foot

pedal

2 of 2 verb
pedaled also pedalled; pedaling also pedalling
ˈped-ᵊl-iŋ, 
-liŋ
1
: to use or work the pedals of something
2
: to ride a bicycle
Etymology

Noun

from early French pedale "a foot lever on an organ," from Italian pedale (same meaning), from Latin pedalis "of the foot," from ped-, pes "foot" — related to pedestrian

Medical Definition

pedal

adjective
ped·​al
ˈped-ᵊl also ˈpēd-
: of or relating to the foot
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