bicycle in English
- bicycle⇄bicycle, noun, verb, -cled,-cling.
- bicycle⇄noun a metal frame on two wheels, one behind the other, that supports a rider. The rider sits on a seat and steers with handles attached to the front wheel. On an ordinary bicycle the rear wheel is turned by a chain connected to pedals; on a motor bicyc
- bicycle⇄v.i. to ride a bicycle.
bicycle in Kannada ಕನ್ನಡ
bicycle in Kashmiri कॉशुर
bicycle in Konkani कोंकणी
bicycle in Sanskrit संस्कृतम्
bicycle in Sindhi سنڌي
Bicycle
Part of Speech
Noun
Pronunciation
/ˈbaɪsɪkəl/
Definitions
- A vehicle with two wheels that is propelled by pedaling.
- A two-wheeled vehicle powered by human effort, commonly used for transportation, sport, or recreation.
Usage Examples
- She rode her bicycle to school every day.
- The bicycle race attracted participants from around the world.
- He prefers to cycle to work rather than drive.
Etymology
Derived from the French word "bicyclette," which is a combination of "bi-" (meaning "two") and "-cycle" (meaning "wheel" or "circle"). The term emerged in the 19th century with the invention of the modern bicycle.
Synonyms
- Bike
- Cycle
- Pushbike
Antonyms
- Car
- Motorbike
- Automobile
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | Bicicleta | /biθiˈkleta/ |
| French | Bicyclette | /bi.siˈklɛt/ |
| German | Fahrrad | /ˈfaːʁʁat/ |
| Italian | Bicicletta | /bitʃiˈkletːa/ |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | 自行车 | /zìxíngchē/ |
| Russian | Велосипед | /vʲɪləsʲɪˈpʲet/ |
| Arabic | دراجة | /darrajah/ |
| Portuguese | Bicicleta | /bi.siˈkleta/ |
| Hindi | साइकिल | /saikil/ |
| Bengali | সাইকেল | /saikel/ |
| Punjabi | ਸਾਈਕਲ | /saikal/ |
| Marathi | सायकल | /saikal/ |
| Gujarati | બાઇસિકલ | /baisikal/ |
| Malayalam | സൈക്കിൾ | /saikkuḷ/ |
| Tamil | சைக்கிள் | /saikkaḷ/ |
| Telugu | సైకిల్ | /saikil/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
- In American English, it's commonly pronounced as "ˈbaɪsɪkəl."
- In British English, it is often pronounced as "ˈbaɪsɪkl." with a slightly shorter "i" sound.
Historical Usage
The word "bicycle" was coined in the 19th century, with the first bicycles being made around the 1830s. These early models were often referred to as "velocipedes" before the term "bicycle" became widely adopted. The invention of the pedal-powered bicycle is credited to several inventors, with the modern design emerging in the 1860s.
Cultural Nuances
The bicycle has become a symbol of eco-friendly transportation and is often associated with a simpler, sustainable lifestyle. In many cultures, cycling is an important part of daily life, particularly in European and Asian countries. In urban areas, bicycles are a common mode of transportation for short distances due to their affordability and efficiency. They also hold cultural significance in various cycling races, such as the Tour de France, which is a major event in sports culture.
More Information
The bicycle is one of the most significant inventions in human history, playing a critical role in transportation, recreation, and health. Over the years, the design of bicycles has evolved, from the early penny-farthing to the modern road bike, mountain bike, and electric bicycle. Today, bicycles are used globally for commuting, exercise, and sport, with millions of people relying on them for everyday travel. The growing popularity of cycling has also led to improvements in infrastructure, such as bike lanes and cycling-friendly urban planning.