velocipede

noun

ve·​loc·​i·​pede və-ˈlä-sə-ˌpēd 

: a lightweight wheeled vehicle propelled by the rider: such as

a

: tricycle

b

: a 3-wheeled railroad handcar

c

archaic : bicycle

Synonyms

• bicycle
• bike
• cycle
• push-bike [British]
• push bicycle
• two-wheeler

Examples of velocipede in a Sentence

a museum with an interesting collection of 19th-century velocipedes

Recent Examples on the Web

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

Kids Definition

velocipede

noun

ve·​loc·​i·​pede və-ˈläs-ə-ˌpēd 

: a lightweight wheeled vehicle (as a tricycle), propelled by the rider

—used especially of early forms