What does "pedal" mean?

1. (foot lever) a part of a bicycle, car, or machine that you push with your foot to make it go or stop. 2. (music/sound effect) a small box on the floor that a guitar player steps on to change the sound. 3. (to ride a bike) to push the pedals of a bicycle with your feet to move forward. 4. (relating to the foot) having to do with the foot.

How do you use "pedal"?

Commonly used with the verbs 'push', 'press', or 'step on'. In piano playing, often refers specifically to the sustain or damper pedals. Intransitive when describing the act of cycling; transitive when describing the action on the pedals themselves. Used primarily in anatomical or medical contexts.

pedal

n. · v. · adj.

US //ˈpɛdəɫ// ped·al

1 foot lever (n.)
A2 Elementary

a part of a bicycle, car, or machine that you push with your foot to make it go or stop.

a lever operated by the foot to power a vehicle or control a mechanism.

Example

He pushed the brake pedal hard to stop the car before the red light.

Example

The cyclist maintained a steady rhythm, her feet clipped into the pedals to ensure maximum power transfer during the steep climb.

Usage

Commonly used with the verbs 'push', 'press', or 'step on'.
- lever
- treadle
2 music/sound effect (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Music

a small box on the floor that a guitar player steps on to change the sound.

an electronic effects unit or mechanical lever used by musicians to modify the tone or sustain of an instrument.

Example

The guitar player has a special pedal that makes his instrument sound fuzzy.

Example

The organist expertly navigated the complex bass line using the wooden pedals of the pedalboard while simultaneously managing the manuals.

Usage

In piano playing, often refers specifically to the sustain or damper pedals.
- stompbox
- sustain pedal

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3 to ride a bike (v.)
A2 Elementary

to push the pedals of a bicycle with your feet to move forward.

to operate a bicycle or similar vehicle by moving the feet in a circular motion on the pedals.

Example

We had to pedal very hard to get up the big hill.

Example

She pedalled furiously across the finish line, securing her position at the top of the leaderboard after a gruelling three-hour race.

Usage

Intransitive when describing the act of cycling; transitive when describing the action on the pedals themselves.
4 relating to the foot (adj.)
C2 Proficiency Technical Medicine

having to do with the foot.

pertaining to the foot or a foot-like structure.

Example

The doctor checked the patient's pedal pulse to ensure blood was reaching the feet.

Example

The surgeon noted a slight abnormality in the pedal structure, suggesting a congenital issue with the small bones of the midfoot.

Usage

Used primarily in anatomical or medical contexts.
- pedal
- podiatric

Origin

Borrowed from French pédale, Latin pedāl(is). By surface analysis, ped- + -al.

Idioms2 entries