Definition of 'bicycle'

Word Frequency

bicycle

(baɪsɪkəl )

Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular present tense, plural bicycles , present participle bicycling, past tense, past participle bicycled

1. countable noun

A bicycle is a vehicle with two wheels which you ride by sitting on it and pushing two pedals with your feet. You steer it by turning a bar that is connected to the front wheel.

Synonyms: bike, cycle, racer, mountain bike More Synonyms of bicycle

2. verb

If you bicycle somewhere, you cycle there.

[old-fashioned]

I bicycled on towards the sea. [VERB adverb/preposition]

Synonyms: cycle More Synonyms of bicycle

Image of 'bicycle'

Video: pronunciation of 'bicycle'

Word Frequency

bicycle in British

(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 or informal bike

verb

2. (intransitive)

to ride a bicycle; cycle

Derived forms

bicyclist (ˈbicyclist) or bicycler (ˈbicycler)

noun

Word origin of 'bicycle'

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

Word Frequency

bicycle in American

(ˈbaɪˌsɪkəl ; bīˈsikˌəl; ˈbaɪsɪkəl ; bīˈsikəl)

noun

a vehicle consisting of a tubular metal frame mounted on two large, wire-spoked wheels, one behind the other, and equipped with handlebars, a saddlelike seat, and foot pedals

verb intransitiveWord forms: ˈbicycled or ˈbicycling

to ride or travel on a bicycle

verb transitive

to carry on or as on a bicycle

to travel over on a bicycle

Derived forms

bicyclist (ˈbiˌcyclist) (ˈbaɪˌsɪkəlɪst ; bīˈsikˌəlist; ˈbaɪsɪkəlɪst ; bīˈsikəlist; ˈbaɪˌsɪklɪst ; bīˈsiˌklist)

noun or ˈbiˌcycler (ˈbaɪˌsɪkələr ; bīˈsikˌələr; ˈbaɪsɪkələr ; bīˈsikələr; ˈbaɪsɪklər ; bīˈsiklər)

Word origin of 'bicycle'

Fr: see bi-1 & cycle

Example sentences containing 'bicycle'

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Remove the wheel from the bicycle frame. Times, Sunday Times (2016)Their ceremony turned out to be on the same day as a bicycle ride through central London. Times, Sunday Times (2016)This leather bicycle is the wheel deal - if you have a spare couple of grand. The Sun (2016)His bicycle wheel mounted on a stool is also here. Times, Sunday Times (2013)Most residents use bicycles to get around. Times, Sunday Times (2012)You buy a bicycle after great deliberation. Times, Sunday Times (2006)We had met on a bicycle ride. Times, Sunday Times (2014)The bicycle is one of the most fantastic and beautifully simple inventions of our civilisation. Times, Sunday Times (2010)The striker also delivered a spectacular bicycle kick but fired wide. The Sun (2012)And riding a bicycle with tiny wheels and very narrow handlebars. Times, Sunday Times (2009)Does anyone want to buy a bicycle? Times, Sunday Times (2012)And maybe talking about bicycles for one minute before going back to business as usual? Times, Sunday Times (2014)Combine these in the right way and you can unlock skills like bicycle kicks. The Sun (2014)My husband is suddenly inspired to buy me a bicycle that he promised to give me two years ago for my birthday. Times, Sunday Times (2010)This works rather like a bicycle pump: as the air gets squeezed it warms up. Times, Sunday Times (2008)We can all use a bicycle instead, or a bus. The Sun (2010)Make a nick in the skin at the neck, and insert a bicycle pump. Times, Sunday Times (2014)They're going from a bicycle with one wheel to a bicycle with three wheels. Times, Sunday Times (2013)They don't encourage people to use bicycles. Times, Sunday Times (2013)A team of Chilean inventors has invented a lock formed from the frame of the bicycle. Times, Sunday Times (2015)Think about how you learned to walk, ride a bicycle or drive a car, or acquire any other new skill. Pete Cohen and Sten Cummins with Jennai Cox HABIT BUSTING: A 10-step plan that will change your life (2002)