MOTORCYCLE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does motorcycle mean? 

• MOTORCYCLE (noun)
  The noun MOTORCYCLE has 1 sense:

1. a motor vehicle with two wheels and a strong frame

  Familiarity information: MOTORCYCLE used as a noun is very rare.

• MOTORCYCLE (verb)
  The verb MOTORCYCLE has 1 sense:

1. ride a motorcycle

  Familiarity information: MOTORCYCLE used as a verb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• MOTORCYCLE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A motor vehicle with two wheels and a strong frame

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

bike; motorcycle

Hypernyms ("motorcycle" is a kind of...):

automotive vehicle; motor vehicle (a self-propelled wheeled vehicle that does not run on rails)

Meronyms (parts of "motorcycle"):

kickstand (a swiveling metal rod attached to a bicycle or motorcycle or other two-wheeled vehicle; the rod lies horizontally when not in use but can be kicked into a vertical position as a support to hold the vehicle upright when it is not being ridden)

kick start; kick starter (a starter (as on a motorcycle) that is activated with the foot and the weight of the body)

mudguard; splash-guard; splash guard (a curved piece above the wheel of a bicycle or motorcycle to protect the rider from water or mud thrown up by the wheels)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "motorcycle"):

minibike; motorbike (small motorcycle with a low frame and small wheels and elevated handlebars)

dirt bike; scrambler; trail bike (a lightweight motorcycle equipped with rugged tires and suspension; an off-road motorcycle designed for riding cross country or over unpaved ground)

Derivation:

motorcycle (ride a motorcycle)

• MOTORCYCLE (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they motorcycle    ... he / she / it motorcycles   
Past simple: motorcycled   
Past participle: motorcycled   
-ing form: motorcycling   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Ride a motorcycle

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Synonyms:

cycle; motorbike; motorcycle

Hypernyms (to "motorcycle" is one way to...):

ride (be carried or travel on or in a vehicle)

"Motorcycle" entails doing...:

kick (strike with the foot)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s PP

Derivation:

motorcycle (a motor vehicle with two wheels and a strong frame)

motorcycling (riding a motorcycle)

 Context examples 

Share the road with bicycles and motorcycles, and watch for pedestrians.

(Motor Vehicle Safety, NIH)

Next to him stood a motorcycle policeman taking down names with much sweat and correction in a little book.

(The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald)