velocipede

noun

ve·​loc·​i·​pede və-ˈlä-sə-ˌpēd How to pronounce velocipede (audio)
: a lightweight wheeled vehicle propelled by the rider: such as
a
b
: a 3-wheeled railroad handcar
c
archaic : bicycle

Examples of velocipede in a Sentence

a museum with an interesting collection of 19th-century velocipedes
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
My next bike, the red-and-yellow Big Wheel, had a lot in common with a velocipede known as the penny-farthing, which was invented in the eighteen-seventies. The New Yorker, 23 May 2022 In the late eighteen-sixties, New Yorkers took up the velocipede, a primitive version of the bicycle. John Seabrook, The New Yorker, 19 Apr. 2021 Oakland Pedal Tours offers free velocipede shuttles between breweries, which are also within walking distance. Lisa Herendeen, The Mercury News, 9 Sep. 2019 While there are competing claims for the first true motorcycle, this one is a Roper steam velocipede (or at least a very impressive re-creation). David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, 13 Apr. 2017 And whereas Snead might view the velocipede as a vehicle on which to multitask, a more cynical observer could find a metaphor here for the GM’s tenure. Greg Bishop, SI.com, 24 Oct. 2017 The velocipede, or Michaudine, was the first bicycle with pedals. Austin Murphy, SI.com, 24 July 2017 While there are competing claims for the first true motorcycle, this one is a Roper steam velocipede (or at least a very impressive re-creation). David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, 13 Apr. 2017

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French vélocipède, from Latin vēlōc-, vēlōx "swift, rapid" + -i- -i- -peda "having feet (of such a sort or number)," derivative of ped-, pēs "foot" — more at velocity, foot entry 1

First Known Use

1818, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of velocipede was in 1818

Dictionary Entries Near velocipede

Cite this Entry

“Velocipede.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/velocipede. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

velocipede

noun
ve·​loc·​i·​pede və-ˈläs-ə-ˌpēd How to pronounce velocipede (audio)
: a lightweight wheeled vehicle (as a tricycle), propelled by the rider
used especially of early forms

More from Merriam-Webster on velocipede

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!