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bike

US //ˈbaɪk// UK //bˈaɪk// bike
  1. 1 bicycle (n.)
    A1 Beginner Informal

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

    a common clipping for bicycle; refers to a two-wheeled vehicle propelled by pedals.

    Example

    He rode his bike to school every morning to avoid the bus.

    Example

    The city installed new racks to encourage commuters to leave their bikes in a secure location near the train station.
  2. 2 motorcycle (n.)
    A2 Elementary Informal

    a vehicle with two wheels and an engine.

    a clipping for motorbike or motorcycle; refers to a motorized two-wheeled vehicle.

    Example

    He wore a heavy leather jacket while riding his bike on the highway.

    Example

    The roar of the bike echoed through the canyon as the rider accelerated into the sharp turn.
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  1. 3 promiscuous person (n.)
    C1 Advanced Slang Vulgar British English

    an insulting word for someone who has many sexual partners.

    a derogatory ellipsis of 'village bike', referring to a person perceived as being sexually available to many people.

    Example

    He was being very rude and called her the village bike.

    Example

    The use of the term 'bike' in that context was intended as a misogynistic slur against her reputation.

    Teacher's tip

    This sense is highly offensive and mostly found in British slang; learners should avoid using it.
  2. 4 to ride (v.)
    A2 Elementary Informal

    to travel somewhere using a bicycle.

    to travel or transport oneself via bicycle. Intransitive in general use.

    Example

    We decided to bike to the beach instead of taking the car.

    Example

    They planned to bike across the valley, documenting the changing landscape for their travel blog.
Etymology 1

Clipping of bicycle. First attested in 1882. One explanation for the form with /k/ is that bicycle was parsed to bi(cy)c(le). An alternative explanation is that it was parsed to bic(ycle) but since speakers are aware of a general /k/~/s/ alternation (as in electric ~ electricity etc.), the softened /s/ was restored to a default /k/ when the “ending” -ycle was dropped. A similar case is merc /mɜɹk/ for mercenary. It seems unlikely, however, that this process is purely phonological and not at least partially based on the spelling ⟨c⟩.

Etymology 2

From Middle English bike, byke (“a nest of wild bees or wasps; also, honeycomb”), of unknown origin. Perhaps a back-formation of Middle English bykere (“beekeeper”), from Old English bēocere (“beekeeper”); or from Old English bȳc, a byform of Old English būc (“belly; vessel; container”). Compare also Scots byke (“beehive, anthill; home, dwelling”), Old Norse bý (“bee”).

Idioms2 entries

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