cycling

cycling — noun

1. the competitive sport in which riders race on bicycles, including road races, tr

1.nounA2
Definition

the competitive sport in which riders race on bicycles, including road races, track events, and off-road competitions

Example

Christopher has been training hard every morning for next month's cycling race in the Alps.

collocation: cycling race

The Tour de France is the most famous professional cycling competition in the world.

collocation: professional / cycling competition

Common collocations
  • cycling race
  • cycling team
  • cycling event
  • cycling competition
  • professional cycling
  • competitive cycling
  • cycling accident
Synonyms
  • road cycling

    a specific type of competitive cycling on paved roads

  • track cycling

    competitive cycling on a specially built oval track (velodrome)

  • mountain biking

    a form of competitive cycling on rough, off-road terrain

Usage Note

This sense is often used attributively before nouns such as race, team, event, and competition to describe the competitive side of the sport.

Common Mistakes

I joined a cycling.
I joined a cycling club.
'cycling' is an uncountable noun and cannot be used with the article 'a' in isolation.

2. using a bicycle to travel, exercise, or enjoy free time

2.nounA2
Definition

using a bicycle to travel, exercise, or enjoy free time

Example

Diya prefers cycling to work every morning because it is faster than taking the bus.

collocation: cycling to work

The local government has built new cycling lanes to make the streets safer for everyone.

collocation: cycling lane

Common collocations
  • go cycling
  • cycling lane
  • cycling path
  • cycling helmet
  • cycling to work
  • cycling for exercise
  • cycling safety
  • cycling holiday
Synonyms
  • biking

    more informal term that can also refer to riding a motorcycle

  • bike riding

    conversational alternative, especially common in North American English

  • riding

    short, informal form used in context: 'I love riding through the park.'

Antonyms
  • driving

    travelling by car, a more common transport choice in many areas

  • walking

    travelling on foot, a slower form of active transport

Usage Note

Commonly used in the phrase 'go cycling' to describe the activity as a hobby, form of exercise, or method of transport.

Common Mistakes

I ride cycle to school.
I cycle to school.' or 'I go cycling to school.
'cycle' as a noun means the vehicle; use 'cycle' as a verb or 'go cycling' to describe the activity.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

Both 'cycling' and 'biking' describe riding a bicycle, but 'cycling' is the more formal and standard term, especially in British English and in official contexts such as 'cycling lanes' or 'cycling events'. 'Biking' is more informal and can also mean riding a motorcycle, which can cause confusion. 'Bike riding' is a conversational alternative common in North American English ('We went bike riding in the park'). For learners, 'cycling' is the safest choice in writing and formal speech, while 'biking' works well in casual conversation. For example: 'She took up cycling to improve her fitness' (neutral) vs. 'We went biking along the river trail' (informal).

cycling ↗biking ↗bike riding

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • cycling in the countryside
  • a form of cycling

Prepositions

Etymology

GreekLatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'cycling' comes from 'cycle', which entered English from Latin 'cyclus' (circle), itself from Greek 'kyklos' (κύκλος, meaning a circle or wheel). The name 'bicycle' was formed by combining 'bi-' (two) with 'cycle' (wheel), and 'cycling' later emerged as the noun describing the activity of riding a bicycle.