cycle
SEYE-kuhl
Cycle (noun) means a series of events that repeats itself in the same order. Example: “The economy moves through cycles of growth and recession.”
noun
1
A series of events that repeats itself in the same order.
"The economy moves through cycles of growth and recession."
"The washing machine has a quick-wash cycle for lightly soiled clothes."
"The moon goes through a regular cycle, from new moon to full moon and back again."
2
A pedal-powered vehicle such as a bicycle, tricycle, or unicycle.
"He rode his cycle to work every morning."
"She locked her cycle to the railings outside the library before going in."
"My daughter's first cycle had stabilisers and a little bell on the handlebars."
verb
1
To ride a bicycle or similar vehicle.
"They cycle along the coast every weekend."
"I usually cycle to the station because it is quicker than waiting for the bus."
"Would you rather cycle or walk through the park this afternoon?"
2
To go through a repeating series of stages, or to turn a device off and back on.
"The router needs to be power-cycled to fix the connection issue."
"The lights cycle from green to amber to red every few seconds."
"If the printer freezes, try to cycle the power by switching it off and on."
How to use cycle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA repeating sequence of events (like the seasons or a washing-machine program), or, informally, a bicycle.
UK vs US
In British English "cycle" is a common everyday word for "bicycle"; American English more often just says "bike."
Common pairings
life cycle
wash cycle
vicious cycle
ride a cycle
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Word forms
- Plural
- cycles
- Third person singular
- cycles
- Past tense
- cycled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The economy moves through _____ of growth and recession.
Etymology
From Late Latin cyclus, from Ancient Greek kuklos ("circle"), from a very old Indo-European word for "wheel" — the same root that ultimately gives us "wheel" itself.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for cycle
See all rhymes for cycle →Frequently asked questions
What does “cycle” mean?
The word “cycle” means a series of events that repeats itself in the same order. In plain terms, a repeating sequence of events (like the seasons or a washing-machine program), or, informally, a bicycle.
How do you pronounce “cycle”?
“Cycle” is pronounced SEYE-kuhl (/ˈsaɪ.kəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “cycle” in a sentence?
Here is “cycle” used in a sentence: “The economy moves through cycles of growth and recession.”
What part of speech is “cycle”?
Depending on how it is used, “cycle” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “cycle” come from?
The word “cycle” comes from Ancient Greek. From Late Latin cyclus, from Ancient Greek kuklos ("circle"), from a very old Indo-European word for "wheel" — the same root that ultimately gives us "wheel" itself.
Is “cycle” a common word?
“Cycle” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “cycle” have?
“Cycle” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a series of events that repeats itself in the same order.
What is the difference between a cycle and a loop?
Both repeat, but a cycle is a series of distinct stages that return to the start in a set order, like the seasons. A loop simply repeats the same action or path over and over. A cycle implies progression through phases before coming round again, while a loop can be plain repetition.
What are the types of cycle?
Cycles appear across nature and daily life: natural ones like the water cycle, the seasons, and the life cycle of a plant; economic ones like boom-and-bust cycles; and mechanical ones like an engine or wash cycle. What unites them is a fixed sequence of events that comes round again in the same order.
What is an example of a cycle?
The water cycle is a classic example: water evaporates, forms clouds, falls as rain, collects in rivers and seas, then evaporates again, repeating endlessly in the same order. Other everyday examples include the day-night cycle, the seasons, and the life cycle of birth, growth, and reproduction.
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