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
Milwaukee Police District 3, the department’s Major Events Response Team, mounted and bicycle patrols and drones were also used during the fair. — Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 19 Aug. 2026 Set against the backdrop of Indiana University in the early ’80s and inspired by the iconic Little 500 bicycle race, Little Five follows four unlikely young women who come together to chase one impossible dream. — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 19 Aug. 2026
Verb
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 Purple dots represent bicycle crashes, while black dots represent the 158 people who were killed while walking or bicycling in Sacramento County over the past five years. — James Taylor, CBS News, 12 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 24 Aug. 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

Nglish: Translation of bicycle for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bicycle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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