Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense cycles, present participle cycling, past tense, past participle cycled
1. verb
If you cycle, you ride a bicycle.
He cycled to Ingwold. [VERB preposition/adverb]
Britain could save £4.6 billion a year in road transport costs if more people cycled. [VERB]
Over 1000 riders cycled 100 miles around the Vale of York. [VERB noun]
cyclinguncountable noun
The quiet country roads are ideal for cycling.
2. countable noun
A cycle is a bicycle.
...an eight-mile cycle ride.
3. countable noun
A cycle is a motorcycle.
[US]
4. countable noun
A cycle is a series of events or processes that is repeated again and again, always in the same order.
...the life cycle of the plant. [+ of]
The figures marked the final low point of the present economic cycle.
They must break out of the cycle of violence.
5. countable noun [usually plural]
A cycle is a single complete series of movements in an electrical, electronic, or mechanical process.
...10 cycles per second.
6. countable noun [usually with supplement]
A cycle is a series of songs or poems that are intended to be performed or read one after the other.
...Wagner's Ring cycle.
More Synonyms of cycle
cycle in British English
(ˈsaɪkəl)
noun
1.
a recurring period of time in which certain events or phenomena occur and reach completion or repeat themselves in a regular sequence
2.
a completed series of events that follows or is followed by another series of similar events occurring in the same sequence
3.
the time taken or needed for one such series
4.
a vast period of time; age; aeon
5.
a group of poems or prose narratives forming a continuous story about a central figure or event
the Arthurian cycle
6.
a series of miracle plays
the Chester cycle
7.
a group or sequence of songs
song cycle
8. short for bicycle, tricycle, motorcycle
9. astronomy
the orbit of a celestial body
10.
a recurrent series of events or processes in plants and animals
a life cycle
a growth cycle
a metabolic cycle
11. physics
a continuous change or a sequence of changes in the state of a system that leads tothe restoration of the system to its original state after a finite period of time
12.
one of a series of repeated changes in the magnitude of a periodically varying quantity, such as current or voltage
13. computing
a.
a set of operations that can be both treated and repeated as a unit
b.
the time required to complete a set of operations
c.
one oscillation of the regular voltage waveform used to synchronize processes in a digital computer
14.
(in generative grammar) the set of cyclic rules
verb
15. (transitive)
to process through a cycle or system
16. (intransitive)
to move in or pass through cycles
17.
to travel by or ride a bicycle or tricycle
Derived forms
cycling (ˈcycling)
noun, adjective
Word origin
C14: from Late Latin cyclus, from Greek kuklos cycle, circle, ring, wheel; see wheel
cycle in American English
(ˈsaɪkəl; for 7 & 12, also ˈsɪkəl)
noun
1.
a recurring period of a definite number of years, used as a measure of time
2.
a period of time within which a round of regularly recurring events or phenomenais completed
the business cycle
3.
a complete set of events or phenomena recurring in the same sequence
4.
a very long period of time; an age
5.
all of the traditional or legendary poems, songs, etc. connected with a hero or an event
the Charlemagne cycle
6.
a series of poems or songs on the same theme
7.
a bicycle, tricycle, or motorcycle
8. Astronomy; Archaic
the orbit of a celestial body
9. Biology
a recurring series of functional changes or events
10. Electricity
one complete period of the reversal of an alternating current from positive to negative and back again
verb intransitiveWord forms: ˈcycled or ˈcycling
11.
to occur or recur in cycles; pass through a cycle
12.
to ride a bicycle, tricycle, or motorcycle
Word origin
ME cicle < LL cyclus < Gr kyklos, a circle, cycle: see wheel
cycle in Mechanical Engineering
(saɪkəl)
Word forms: (regular plural) cycles
noun
(Mechanical engineering: Energy, thermodynamics and heat transfer)
A cycle is a series of thermodynamic changes that happen to fluid, gas, or steam in an engine in order to produce power.
Most internal combustion engines operate on the Otto cycle.
The phases of the cycle of a heat pump can be shown on a thermodynamic diagram.
A cycle is a series of thermodynamic changes that happen to fluid, gas, or steam in an enginein order to produce power.
Road cycling was his job and if he could progress it would pay well.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He has also completed a cycle safety course since the incident.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
And sometimes, a single parasite can take on many different forms throughout its life cycle.
Smithsonian Insider (2017)
It would take almost a full economic cycle to build a mere 300 homes.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Or catch the ferry and cycle around Venice Lido for a slower change of pace.
The Sun (2016)
Life became a cycle of cosy nights in front of the TV and working hard to make their new business venture a success.
The Sun (2016)
I spent a lot of time cycling and walking there in my youth - it's surrounded by lush forest.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
I have got involved and I am doing a fundraising cycle ride for them.
The Sun (2017)
Those are the phases of the life cycle in which they will shine.
Geoffrey A. Moore LIVING ON THE FAULT LINE, REVISED EDITION (2002)
We spent the next morning cycling around the countryside.
The Sun (2012)
People running or cycling would not see them.
The Sun (2016)
You should be able to cycle down a country lane without putting your life in danger.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The dieting cycle moves to a rhythm almost as strict as that of the seasons.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
This is a chaotic period during a cycle of amazing growth.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The explosive growth in cycling is one of the main reasons for the surge.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Time for the cycle to turn again?
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Perhaps they should have to pass their cycling proficiency test before climbing aboard.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
That is the real lesson of the recent history of road cycling.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
This allows grief to complete its cycle.
Christianity Today (2000)
It consisted of an introduction to the life cycle of a rabbit.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It quickly became my favourite country for cycling anywhere in the world.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Investments move in cycles and the spotlight will move back to equities.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The economic cycle and the political cycle appear to be aligning rather nicely from his point of view.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The studios make millions, so the cycle begins again.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The idea is that you need a continuous, safe cycle route.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
After that it was only ten minutes' cycle ride to the village.
Len Deighton Bomber
If this seems a long way off in cycling, think again.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The more people cycling, the more danger our cyclists are in.
The Sun (2013)
Another complaint was the lack of punctuality over her period cycle, and the swelling over her tummy.
Price, Shirley Practical Aromatherapy (1987)
I had just a short cycle ride to work.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
In other languages
cycle
British English: cycle /ˈsaɪkl/ NOUN
bicycle A cycle is a bicycle.
...an eight-mile cycle ride.
American English: bicycle bike
Arabic: دَرَّاجَة n
Brazilian Portuguese: bicicleta
Chinese: 自行车
Croatian: bicikl
Czech: kolo jízdní
Danish: cykel
Dutch: fiets
European Spanish: bicicleta
Finnish: jakso
French: vélo
German: Zyklus
Greek: ποδήλατο
Italian: bicicletta
Japanese: 自転車 bike
Korean: 주기
Norwegian: syklus
Polish: cykl
European Portuguese: bicicleta
Romanian: bicicletă
Russian: велосипед
Latin American Spanish: bicicleta
Swedish: cykel
Thai: จักรยาน
Turkish: döngü
Ukrainian: велосипед
Vietnamese: xe đạp
British English: cycle /ˈsaɪkl/ NOUN
series of events A cycle is a series of events or processes that is continually repeated, always in the same order.
...the cycles of nature.
American English: cycle recurring period
Arabic: دَوْرَة
Brazilian Portuguese: ciclo
Chinese: 循环
Croatian: ciklus
Czech: cyklus jízdní
Danish: cyklus
Dutch: cyclus
European Spanish: ciclo
Finnish: polkupyörä
French: cycle
German: Rad Fahrrad
Greek: κύκλος
Italian: ciclo
Japanese: 周期 recurring period
Korean: 자전거
Norwegian: sykkel
Polish: rower
European Portuguese: ciclo
Romanian: ciclu
Russian: цикл
Latin American Spanish: ciclo
Swedish: cykel
Thai: วัฏจักร
Turkish: bisiklete binme
Ukrainian: цикл
Vietnamese: chu kỳ
British English: cycle /ˈsaɪkl/ VERB
If you cycle, you ride a bicycle.
I cycle to work at least twice a week.
American English: cycle
Arabic: يَرْكَبُ الدَرَّاجَة
Brazilian Portuguese: andar de bicicleta
Chinese: 骑自行车
Croatian: biciklirati
Czech: jet na kole
Danish: cykle
Dutch: fietsen
European Spanish: ir en bicicleta
Finnish: pyöräillä
French: faire du vélo
German: radfahren
Greek: κάνω ποδήλατο
Italian: andare in bicicletta
Japanese: 自転車に乗る
Korean: 순환하다
Norwegian: sykle
Polish: pojechać na rowerze
European Portuguese: andar de bicicleta
Romanian: a merge pe bicicletă
Russian: ехать на велосипеде
Latin American Spanish: ir en bicicleta
Swedish: cykla
Thai: ขี่จักรยาน
Turkish: bisiklete binmek
Ukrainian: їздити на велосипеді
Vietnamese: đạp xe
All related terms of 'cycle'
TCA cycle
a republic in N central Africa: made a territory of French Equatorial Africa in 1910; became independent in 1960; contains much desert and the Tibesti Mountains, with Lake Chad in the west; produces chiefly cotton and livestock ; suffered intermittent civil war from 1963 and prolonged drought . Official languages: Arabic ; French. Religion : Muslim majority , also Christian and animist. Currency: franc . Capital: N’Djaména. Pop: 14 899 994 (2017 est). Area: 1 284 000 sq km (495 750 sq miles)
two-cycle
relating to or designating an internal-combustion engine whose piston makes two strokes for every explosion
cell cycle
the growth cycle of eukaryotic cells. It is divided into five stages, known as G 0 , in which the cell is quiescent , G 1 and G 2 , in which it increases in size, S, in which it duplicates its DNA , and M, in which it undergoes mitosis and divides
cycle clip
a ring of taut metal that fits on a person's ankles to hold trouser bottoms tight and prevent them getting caught in the chain of a bicycle
cycle hire
a business which rents out bikes to tourists , travellers , etc
cycle lane
a specially designated and indicated section of the roadway for use by cyclists
cycle path
A cycle path is a special path on which people can travel by bicycle separately from motor vehicles .
cycle pump
a hand pump for pumping air into the tyres of a bicycle
cycle race
a competitive race between cyclists
cycle rack
a series of metal frameworks standing on the ground for holding bicycles upright
cycle ride
a ride on a bicycle
cycle shed
a shed for bicycle storage
cycle shop
a shop that sells and usually repairs bicycles and bicycle parts
cycle track
a special path created for cyclists to use
down-cycle
a downward phase in the economic cycle
fairy cycle
a child's bicycle
food cycle
→ food web
four-cycle
relating to or designating an internal-combustion engine in which the piston makes four strokes for every explosion
hype cycle
a term coined by Gartner to refer to the five phases he considers a new technology or product to go through from its launch to its stabilization on the market
Krebs cycle
a stage of tissue respiration : a series of biochemical reactions occurring in mitochondria in the presence of oxygen by which acetate , derived from the breakdown of foodstuffs , is converted to carbon dioxide and water, with the release of energy
life cycle
The life cycle of an animal or plant is the series of changes and developments that it passes through from the beginning of its life until its death .
lunar cycle
See Metonic cycle
Otto cycle
an engine cycle used on four-stroke petrol engines ( Otto engines ) in which, ideally, combustion and rejection of heat both take place at constant volume
pedal cycle
a cycle that is propelled by operating the pedals , as opposed to a motorcycle
rock cycle
the series of events in which a rock of one type is converted to one or more other types and then back to the original type
sleep cycle
A cycle is a series of events or processes that is repeated again and again, always in the same order.
solar cycle
a period of time, averaging c. 11 years, during which certain phenomena , as maximum sunspot activity, recur on the sun
song cycle
any of several groups of songs written by composers during and after the Romantic period, each series employing texts , usually by one poet , relating a story or grouped around a central motif
trade cycle
the recurrent fluctuation between boom and depression in the economic activity of a capitalist country
urea cycle
the sequence of metabolic reactions leading in vertebrates to the synthesis of urea
water cycle
the circulation of the earth's water, in which water evaporates from the sea into the atmosphere , where it condenses and falls as rain or snow , returning to the sea by rivers or returning to the atmosphere by evapotranspiration
Calvin cycle
a series of reactions, occurring during photosynthesis , in which glucose is synthesized from carbon dioxide
carbon cycle
the circulation of carbon between living organisms and their surroundings. Carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is synthesized by plants into plant tissue, which is ingested and metabolized by animals and converted to carbon dioxide again during respiration and decay
Carnot cycle
an idealized reversible heat-engine cycle giving maximum efficiency and consisting of an isothermal expansion , an adiabatic expansion, an isothermal compression , and an adiabatic compression back to the initial state
closed cycle
a heat engine in which the working substance is continuously circulated and does not need replenishment
cycle helmet
a protective helmet worn by cyclists to prevent head injuries
diesel cycle
a four-stroke cycle in which combustion takes place at constant pressure and heat is rejected at constant volume
endless cycle
A cycle is a series of events or processes that is repeated again and again, always in the same order.
estrous cycle
the regular female reproductive cycle of most placental mammals that is under hormonal control and includes a period of heat, followed by ovulation and complex changes of the uterine lining
Metonic cycle
a cycle of nearly 235 synodic months after which the phases of the moon recur on the same days of the year
monthly cycle
A cycle is a series of events or processes that is repeated again and again, always in the same order.
natural cycle
A cycle is a series of events or processes that is repeated again and again, always in the same order.
Rankine cycle
the thermodynamic cycle in steam engines by which water is pumped into a boiler at one end and the steam is condensed at the other
sunspot cycle
the cycle , averaging in duration slightly more than 11 years, in which the frequency of sunspots varies from a maximum to a minimum and back to a maximum again
vicious cycle
a situation in which an attempt to resolve one problem creates new problems that lead back to the original situation
business cycle
the recurrent fluctuation between boom and depression in the economic activity of a capitalist country
commodity cycle
A cycle is a series of events or processes that is repeated again and again, always in the same order.
economic cycle
A cycle is a series of events or processes that is repeated again and again, always in the same order.
menstrual cycle
(in women of reproductive age) the cycle of physiological changes affecting the reproductive organs that takes place typically over a month and includes ovulation, thickening of the lining of the womb and menstruation if fertilization of the egg has not occurred
nitrogen cycle
the natural circulation of nitrogen by living organisms. Nitrates in the soil , derived from dead organic matter by bacterial action, are absorbed and synthesized into complex organic compounds by plants and reduced to nitrates again when the plants and the animals feeding on them die and decay
Chinese translation of 'cycle'
cycle
(ˈsaɪkl)
n(c)
[of events, seasons etc]周(週)期 (zhōuqī)
[of songs, poems]组(組) (zǔ)
(= bicycle) 自行车(車) (zìxíngchē) (辆(輛), liàng)
(Tech, = movement) 循环(環) (xúnhuán)
vi
骑(騎)自行车(車) (qí zìxíngchē)
cpd
[shop, helmet, ride]自行车(車) (zìxíngchē)
to go cycling骑(騎)自行车(車) (qí zìxíngchē)
(noun)
Definition
a complete series of recurring events
the business cycle of recession and rebound
Synonyms
series of events
round
This is the latest round of job cuts.
circle
The flag was red with a large white circle.
The monument consists of a circle of gigantic stones.
revolution
The gear drives a wheel 1/10th revolution per cycle.
rotation
crop rotation and integration of livestock
Additional synonyms
in the sense of circle
Definition
something formed or arranged in the shape of a circle
The flag was red with a large white circle.The monument consists of a circle of gigantic stones.
Synonyms
ring,
round,
band,
disc,
loop,
hoop,
cordon,
perimeter,
halo
in the sense of revolution
Definition
one complete turn in a circle
The gear drives a wheel 1/10th revolution per cycle.