# cycle /ˈsaɪkəɫ/ (US) · /sˈaɪkəl/ (UK) Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cycle Updated: 2026-06-19 ## Senses ### 1. repeating series of events noun · CEFR A2 · Academic a series of events that happen again and again in the same order. For teachers: a sequence of phenomena or events that recur regularly and lead back to a starting point. - In school, we learned about the water cycle and how rain falls and evaporates. - The economic cycle typically involves periods of rapid growth followed by a slowdown or recession before the pattern repeats. ### 2. a bicycle or similar vehicle noun · CEFR A2 a vehicle with wheels that you move by pushing pedals with your feet. For teachers: a pedal-powered vehicle, such as a bicycle or tricycle, or occasionally a motorized two-wheeled vehicle. - He decided to go for a long cycle through the park on Sunday morning. - The city council invested in new infrastructure to encourage residents to use their cycles for the daily commute instead of driving. ### 3. machine program noun · CEFR B1 one complete program on a machine, like a washing machine or dishwasher. For teachers: a single complete operation or set of operations performed by a mechanical device. - The washing machine is on its final spin cycle now. - To protect the delicate silk blouses, she selected the gentle cycle and used a specialized detergent. ### 4. series of artistic works noun · CEFR C1 · Formal a group of songs, poems, or stories that are connected to each other. For teachers: a series of related artistic, literary, or musical works intended to be performed or read as a sequence. - The singer performed a famous cycle of songs about lost love. - The poet spent a decade composing a sonnet cycle that explored the shifting landscape of the industrial north. ### 5. aircraft pressurization noun · CEFR C2 · Technical one complete flight including takeoff and landing. For teachers: a single takeoff and landing sequence that subjects an aircraft's fuselage to a pressurization and depressurization event. - The plane was retired after completing forty thousand cycles. - Maintenance schedules for short-haul aircraft are often determined by the number of flight cycles rather than total flight hours due to structural stress. ### 6. to ride a bicycle verb · CEFR A2 to travel somewhere using a bicycle. For teachers: to ride a bicycle or similar pedal-powered vehicle as a means of transport or exercise. - She cycles to work every day to stay fit and save money. - They planned to cycle across the European continent, stopping at small villages along the way to experience the local culture. ### 7. to move through a sequence verb · CEFR B2 to move through a list or a series of options one by one. For teachers: to pass through a series of stages or to move through a set of items repeatedly. - You can cycle through the different camera modes by pressing this button. - The display screen cycles through various advertisements every thirty seconds to maximize exposure for the sponsors. ### 8. to restart power verb · CEFR C1 · Technical to turn a machine off and then on again to fix a problem. For teachers: to turn an electronic device off and back on, typically to reset the system or clear an error. - If the router stops working, try to cycle the power. - The technician advised the user to power cycle the server to ensure the new configuration settings were properly applied. Usage: Often used as 'power cycle'. ## Examples - The water cycle explains how rain falls and then returns to the sky. - The business cycle includes periods of growth followed by periods where the economy slows down. - Understanding the life cycle of local insects is essential for farmers who want to protect their crops without using too many chemicals. --- 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.