# pedal

/ˈpɛdəɫ/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pedal
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. foot lever

noun · CEFR A2

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

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

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

### 2. music/sound effect

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

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

### 3. to ride a bike

verb · CEFR A2

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

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

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

adjective · CEFR C2 · Technical

having to do with the foot.

For teachers: pertaining to the foot or a foot-like structure.

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

## Examples

- He pushed the pedal to make the bike go faster.
- The driver slammed on the brake pedal to avoid hitting the deer that ran into the road.
- The pianist used the sustain pedal to blend the notes together, creating a rich and resonant sound that filled the entire concert hall.

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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.