bicycle
gb/bˈaɪsɪkəl/ us/bˈaɪsɪkəl/
A1
English
~ 7100
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A1
entity
1
two-wheeled pedal vehicle
A vehicle with two wheels that you move by pushing the pedals with your feet.
Usage pattern:
ride [a/the] bicycle
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse “bicycle” with “motorbike” or “motorcycle”. A bicycle has no engine and is moved only by pedals, while a motorbike or motorcycle has a motor. Many learners also say *drive a bicycle*; the natural verb is *ride a bicycle*.
Synonyms
bike (Much more common in everyday speech; slightly more informal but widely used in both spoken and written English.)
|
cycle (Used more in British English and in formal or technical contexts like road signs and regulations.)
Antonyms
car (A common contrasting vehicle that is enclosed and motor-powered instead of open and human-powered.)
Collocations
ride a bicycle
|bicycle helmet
|bicycle lane
|lock your bicycle
|park your bicycle
|bicycle shop
Themes
transport
|daily life
|health
|sports
|transportation
|travel
|daily_life
Examples
- She learned to ride a bicycle when she was six.
- I use my bicycle to go to work every day.
- Make sure you lock your bicycle if you leave it outside the station.
- He bought a new mountain bicycle for weekend trips in the hills.
- There’s a flat tire on my bicycle, so I’ll have to walk.
Learner examples
- The boy rides his bicycle to school.
- I have a red bicycle with a small basket.
- Please put your bicycle in the garage.
- She wears a helmet when she rides her bicycle.
- My father is fixing my bicycle.
Verb
A2
action
2
travel by bicycle
To go somewhere by riding a bicycle.
Usage pattern:
to bicycle to [a place]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *I go by bicycle* correctly but are unsure about using *bicycle* as a verb. Both are correct: *I go to work by bicycle* and *I bicycle to work*. Do not say *I drive bicycle* or *I take bicycle*.
Synonyms
cycle (Very close in meaning; more common as a verb in British English than in American English.)
|
bike (Informal but very frequent in everyday conversation, especially in American English.)
Antonyms
drive (Means to travel using a motor vehicle instead of a bicycle.)
Collocations
bicycle to work
|bicycle home
|bicycle around the city
|bicycle across town
|bicycle through the park
|bicycle every day
Themes
transport
|daily life
|health
|transportation
|travel
|daily_life
Examples
- I usually bicycle to the office to avoid traffic.
- They decided to bicycle along the river trail on Sunday.
- She bicycles ten kilometers every morning before breakfast.
- We can bicycle into town in about fifteen minutes.
- He used to bicycle to school, but now he takes the bus.
Learner examples
- I bicycle to work every day.
- We will bicycle to the beach this afternoon.
- She likes to bicycle in the park.
- They bicycle to school when the weather is good.
- On weekends, I bicycle with my friends.
Grammar
Dictionary form
bicycle
IPA
GB/bˈaɪsɪkəl/
US/bˈaɪsɪkəl/
Syllables & stress
bi - cycle (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (bi)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: bicycle
- Plural: bicycle, bicycles
Verb
- Base: bicycle
- 3rd Person Singular: bicycles
- Present Participle: bicycling
- Past: bicycled
Word family
Expressions
bicycle chain
1/bˈaɪsɪkəl t͡ʃˈeɪn/
fixed phrase
metal chain on a bicycle
The metal chain on a bicycle that moves the back wheel when you push the pedals.
Examples
- My bicycle chain came off, so I had to stop and fix it.
- Oil your bicycle chain regularly to keep it running smoothly.
bicycle helmet
1/bˈaɪsɪkəl hˈɛlmət/
fixed phrase
helmet for cycling safety
A hard hat that you wear on your head to protect it when you ride a bicycle.
Examples
- You must wear a bicycle helmet when you ride on the main road.
- He bought a new bicycle helmet for his daughter.
bicycle lane
1/bˈaɪsɪkəl lˈeɪn/
fixed phrase
road section for bicycles
A special part of a road marked for people who are riding bicycles.
Examples
- It’s safer to stay in the bicycle lane when you ride through the city.
- Cars are not allowed to park in the bicycle lane.
bicycle pump
1/bˈaɪsɪkəl pˈʌmp/
fixed phrase
pump for bicycle tires
A tool that you use to push air into the tires of a bicycle.
Examples
- I need a bicycle pump to fill this flat tire.
- He keeps a small bicycle pump attached to his bike frame.
bicycle rack
1/bˈaɪsɪkəl ɹˈæk/
fixed phrase
stand for locking bicycles
A metal frame or stand where you can put and lock your bicycle.
Examples
- There is a bicycle rack in front of the supermarket.
- She locked her bike to the bicycle rack outside the library.
bicycle shop
1/bˈaɪsɪkəl ʃˈɑp/
fixed phrase
store for bicycles and parts
A shop where you can buy bicycles and bicycle parts, and often get them repaired.
Examples
- He took his old bike to the bicycle shop for repairs.
- There’s a new bicycle shop that sells electric bikes downtown.
electric bicycle
1/ɪlˈɛktɹɪk bˈaɪsɪkəl/
fixed phrase
bicycle with electric assistance
A bicycle that has a small electric motor to help you when you pedal.
Examples
- She bought an electric bicycle so she can get up hills more easily.
- Electric bicycles are becoming popular in many big cities.
folding bicycle
1/fˈoʊldɪŋ bˈaɪsɪkəl/
fixed phrase
bicycle that can be folded
A bicycle that you can fold into a smaller shape so it is easy to carry or store.
Examples
- He uses a folding bicycle so he can take it on the train.
- A folding bicycle is useful if you live in a small apartment.
like riding a bicycle
1/lˈaɪk ɹˈaɪdɪŋ ə bˈaɪsɪkəl/
idiom
something you never really forget
Used to say that once you learn a skill, you can do it again easily, even after a long time without practice.
Examples
- Playing the piano is like riding a bicycle; you never really forget how.
- Don’t worry about your skating, it’s like riding a bicycle and it will come back to you quickly.
mountain bicycle
1/mˈaʊntən bˈaɪsɪkəl/
fixed phrase
bicycle for off-road riding
A strong bicycle with wide tires, made for riding on hills, dirt paths, and rough ground.
Examples
- He bought a mountain bicycle for weekend rides in the forest.
- A mountain bicycle is better than a road bike on rocky paths.
ride a bicycle
1/ɹˈaɪd ə bˈaɪsɪkəl/
fixed phrase
sit on and use a bicycle
To sit on a bicycle and make it move by using the pedals and handlebars.
Examples
- Most children learn to ride a bicycle around the age of six or seven.
- Always wear a helmet when you ride a bicycle on the road.