Skip to main content

motorcycle — A two-wheeled vehicle powered by an engine

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: A two-wheeled vehicle powered by an engine

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈmoʊtərˌsaɪkəl/

Example Sentences

  • My grandfather thinks motorcycles are just bicycles having a midlife crisis.
  • She bought a motorcycle to commute to work faster.
  • The motorcycle was so loud that even the neighbors' dog filed a noise complaint.

motorcycle

NOUN

[/ˈmoʊtərˌsaɪkəl/]

A two-wheeled vehicle powered by an engine

a leather-jacketed rider leans into a sharp curve on a sleek red motorcycle. The engine roars as the bike tilts at an angle while navigating the bend. The motorcycle's wheels grip the asphalt as speed lines show rapid movement. Wind whips through the rider's hair beneath the helmet visor. A car driver in the background watches the motorcycle zoom past with impressive acceleration. Another motorcyclist follows behind on the same winding route.  a two-wheeled vehicle powered by an engine in action
💡 Concept

a leather-jacketed rider leans into a sharp curve on a sleek red motorcycle. The engine roars as the bike tilts at an angle while navigating the bend. The motorcycle's wheels grip the asphalt as speed lines show rapid movement. Wind whips through the rider's hair beneath the helmet visor. A car driver in the background watches the motorcycle zoom past with impressive acceleration. Another motorcyclist follows behind on the same winding route. a two-wheeled vehicle powered by an engine in action

From motorcycle to cycle through recycle!
🎵 Rhyme

From motorcycle to cycle through recycle!

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈmoʊtərˌsaɪkəl/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈməʊtəˌsaɪkəl/

🌳Etymology

Rootmotor
Suffix-cycle

Origin

Motorcycle emerged as a compound word around 1895, combining 'motor' (from Latin motus, meaning movement or engine) and 'bicycle' (from Latin bi-, two, and Greek kyklos, wheel). The term literally describes a motorized two-wheeled vehicle, born from the industrial innovation of adding an internal combustion engine to the bicycle frame.

Breakdown

motor (Latin motus, movement/engine) + cycle (from Greek kyklos, wheel). The compound literally means 'engine-powered wheel' or 'motorized bicycle'.

🎵Rhyme

cycle
recycle

🔗Collocations

ride a motorcycle
motorcycle helmet
motorcycle license
motorcycle engine
motorcycle accident

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“My grandfather thinks motorcycles are just bicycles having a midlife crisis.”

“She bought a motorcycle to commute to work faster.”

😄 Fun example

“The motorcycle was so loud that even the neighbors' dog filed a noise complaint.”

“Learning to ride a motorcycle requires proper training and safety equipment.”

📚Related Words

Want to master 27,000+ words?

Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.