as in bike
a two-wheeled vehicle that is propelled by the use of pedals and steered through the use of handlebars
a museum with an interesting collection of 19th-century velocipedes
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of velocipede
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for velocipede
Noun
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In addition to offering stunning river canyon views, the gorge is home to the highest concentration of waterfalls in the U.S. with ample opportunities to hike, bike, or even canoe or kayak.—
Mae Hamilton,
Travel + Leisure,
6 June 2025
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While riding a tiny 50cc bike on his family’s ranch in southwest Colorado, a young Eli Tomac started down the track toward motocross immortality.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
6 June 2025
Noun
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Farm equipment and transportation vehicles, including cars, bicycles, and others, will also likely cost more as a result of the new tariff rate, Colehower says.—
Solcyré Burga,
Time,
4 June 2025
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The group has other plans, too: To grow greener schoolyards, using composting, rain gardens and native greenery; to incentivize cargo bikes and create bicycle repair stations as a way to reduce vehicle emissions; to create rain gardens as a way to capture and clean stormwater.—
Ryan Carter,
Oc Register,
2 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Velocipede.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/velocipede. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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