# bicycle

/ˈbaɪsɪkəɫ/ (US) · /bˈaɪsɪkəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bicycle
Updated: 2026-04-30

## Senses

### 1. two-wheeled vehicle

noun · CEFR A1

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

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

- He rode his bicycle to school every morning to avoid the heavy traffic.
- The city council invested in dedicated lanes to encourage residents to use a bicycle for their daily commute rather than relying on cars.

### 2. to ride a bike

verb · CEFR A2

to travel or exercise by riding a bicycle.

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

- We decided to bicycle across the park while the weather was still warm.
- They bicycled through the rural provinces of France, covering nearly fifty miles of varied terrain each day.

### 3. a motorbike

noun · CEFR B2 · British English · Dialect · Informal

a motorcycle or motorbike.

For teachers: a motorized cycle; a common colloquialism in specific Commonwealth dialects.

- He spent the weekend cleaning his bicycle before the big motorbike rally.
- In certain rural Australian communities, the term bicycle is frequently used to refer to a high-powered motorbike used for cross-country transport.

### 4. promiscuous person

noun · CEFR C1 · Slang · Vulgar

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

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

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

Teaching tip: This sense is highly offensive and sexist; learners should recognize it to understand the insult but avoid using it themselves.

### 5. to ship film/tapes

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical · Archaic

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

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

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

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.