English Reference
noun

motorcycle

n.
US /ˈmoʊtɝˌsaɪkəɫ/ UK /mˈəʊtəsˌaɪkəl/ mo·tor·cy·cle UK spelling motorcycle's, motorcycle's, motorcycled

  1. 01 A2 Elementary

    a vehicle with two wheels and an engine that you ride like a bicycle.

    a motor vehicle with two wheels, a seat for a rider, and handlebars for steering.

    Simple

    He wore a heavy leather jacket and a helmet while riding his motorcycle to work.

    In context

    The vintage motorcycle had been meticulously restored, featuring a polished chrome engine and the original leather saddle from the 1960s.


From motor + cycle, from the Motorcyclette produced in 1897 by the French Werner Frères et Cie.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level A2 · Elementary
Frequency Common
Updated