Added 9 October 2026
bicycle
/ˈbaɪsɪk(ə)l/ noun
In Latin: birota First recorded: 1868 Wiktionary
noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about bicycle at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
- A vehicle that has two primary wheels, one behind the other, a steering handle, and a saddle seat or seats and is usually propelled by the action of a rider’s feet upon pedals.
- Any similar vehicle powered by human pedaling or steered with a handlebar, regardless of the number of wheels.
- A traveling block used on a cable in skidding logs.
verb
- To travel or exercise using a bicycle.
- To physically ship (a recorded programme) to another broadcasting entity.
Origin
Borrowed from French bicycle (modern bicyclette), from bi- (“two”) + cycle (“cycle”). By surface analysis, bi- + cycle. First attested in English in 1868, and in French in 1847. (promiscuous woman): From double meaning of ride ("to transport oneself upon" vs. "to mount someone to have sex with them"). A communal bicycle would have many riders.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)