What does "bicycle" mean?

1. (two-wheeled vehicle) a vehicle with two wheels that you ride by pushing pedals with your feet. 2. (to ride a bike) to travel or exercise by riding a bicycle. 3. (a motorbike) a motorcycle or motorbike. 4. (promiscuous person) an insulting word for a woman who has many sexual partners. 5. (to ship film/tapes) to send a recorded TV show or film from one station to another.

How do you use "bicycle"?

Usually used with 'the' or as a direct insult. Used as a transitive verb in the context of media logistics.

bicycle

US //ˈbaɪsɪkəɫ// UK //bˈaɪsɪkəl// bi·cy·cle

1 two-wheeled vehicle (n.)
A1 Beginner

a vehicle with two wheels that you ride by pushing pedals with your feet.

a vehicle composed of two wheels held in a frame one behind the other, propelled by pedals and steered with handlebars.

Example

He rode his bicycle to school every morning to avoid the heavy traffic.

Example

The city council invested in dedicated lanes to encourage residents to use a bicycle for their daily commute rather than relying on cars.
- bike
- cycle
2 to ride a bike (v.)
A2 Elementary

to travel or exercise by riding a bicycle.

to travel by means of a bicycle; functions as an intransitive verb of motion.

Example

We decided to bicycle across the park while the weather was still warm.

Example

They bicycled through the rural provinces of France, covering nearly fifty miles of varied terrain each day.
- cycle
- bike

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3 a motorbike (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate British English Dialect Informal

a motorcycle or motorbike.

a motorized cycle; a common colloquialism in specific Commonwealth dialects.

Example

He spent the weekend cleaning his bicycle before the big motorbike rally.

Example

In certain rural Australian communities, the term bicycle is frequently used to refer to a high-powered motorbike used for cross-country transport.
- motorbike
- motorcycle
4 promiscuous person (n.)
C1 Advanced Slang Vulgar

an insulting word for a woman who has many sexual partners.

a derogatory and highly offensive term for a woman perceived as promiscuous.

Example

The cruel gossip in the office referred to her as the town bicycle.

Example

The screenplay was criticized for its use of dated and misogynistic slurs, including the term bicycle to describe the female lead.

Usage

Usually used with 'the' or as a direct insult.

Teacher's tip

This sense is highly offensive and sexist; learners should recognize it to understand the insult but avoid using it themselves.
- slut
5 to ship film/tapes (v.)
C2 Proficiency Technical Archaic Television

to send a recorded TV show or film from one station to another.

to physically transport recorded media between broadcasting entities; historically significant in television distribution.

Example

The local station had to bicycle the film reels to the next city.

Example

Before the advent of satellite uplinks, networks would bicycle physical tapes between regional affiliates to ensure the program aired on schedule.

Usage

Used as a transitive verb in the context of media logistics.
- ship
- transfer

Origin

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *dwóh₁ Proto-Indo-European *dwís Proto-Italic *dwis Old Latin duis Latin bisder. French bi- Proto-Indo-European *kʷel- Proto-Indo-European *kʷékʷlos Ancient Greek κῠ́κλος (kŭ́klos)der. Late Latin cyclusder. Middle French French cycle French bicyclebor. English bicycle 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.