noun

pedal

PEH-duhl

noun

A foot-operated lever used to control or power a machine, such as on a bicycle, car, or piano.

"She pressed the brake pedal hard when the light turned red."

"He kept his foot on the sustain pedal through the whole piece."

An effects unit for an electric guitar or other instrument, typically switched on by stepping on it.

"He added a distortion pedal to his rig before the show."

verb

To push the pedals of a bicycle or similar machine, especially in a steady circular motion.

"They pedaled uphill for nearly an hour before reaching the summit."

"She pedaled harder to keep up with the group."

How to Use Pedal

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe foot-lever you press to control something, or the act of pressing/pumping it, especially on a bike.

Common mistake

Don't confuse with "peddle" (to sell) — they sound identical but mean completely different things.

Easily confused with

peddle →

Common pairings

press the pedal pedal a bike guitar pedal brake pedal

pedaled past tense, pedalled past tense, pedals plural, pedals singular

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She pressed the brake _____ hard when the light turned red.

From French pédale, going back to Latin pedalis, "of the foot" — from pes/ped-, "foot."

medal