bicycles

Noun

bicycle (plural bicycles)

1. A vehicle that has two primary wheels, one behind the other, a steering handle, and a saddle seat or seats and is usually propelled by the action of a rider’s feet upon pedals.
   • In most English villages, as we are informed, bicycles are not allowed on the sidewalks; and the hand-books issued by English manufacturers of bicycles caution their customers that it is a forbidden practice, while in many places bells have to be attached to the bicycles even when ridden in the...1882, “Principle in Small Things”, in Popular Science Monthly, volume 22, page 274

   Synonyms:

   bike, pushbike, two-wheeler, velocipede

2. (broadly, proscribed, sometimes) Any similar vehicle powered by human pedaling or steered with a handlebar, regardless of the number of wheels.
   • The small, three-wheeled bicycle-type vehicle is probably the lowest-cost set of wheels for routine, in-park patrol use.1980, United States. National Park Service, Trends, page 40
3. A traveling block used on a cable in skidding logs.
4. The best possible hand in lowball.
5. (Australia, New Zealand, UK) A motorbike.
6. (slang, vulgar, usually in compounds specifying a context) A slut; a promiscuous woman.
   • ‘What sort of bullying does this sergeant go in for?’ ‘Character assassination,’ she said in a matter-of-fact tone that belied the very real difficulties it was causing her. ‘There’s a lot of whispering about slags and tarts behind my back and sniggers whenever I appear. Half of the men seem to...2002, Minette Walters, Fox Evil, Macmillan, pages 162–3

   Synonyms:

   town bicycle, village bicycle

See all 12 meanings of bicycle