cycle

/ˈsaɪkəl/

/ˈsaɪkəl/

Other forms: cycles; cycled

A cycle is a series of events that happen repeatedly in the same order. Or, it is a slang term for a bicycle. If you ride a cycle to work, we suggest putting your clothes through the wash cycle twice — or wear strong cologne.

We get cycle from Latin cyclus and Greek kuklos, both meaning "circle." So you can see where bi- (two) and tri- (three) + cycle got their names. Nowadays, cycle can be a verb or a noun: You can ride a cycle or you can cycle to the park. The same holds true when you’re talking about a sequence of repeating events: The seasons cycle through spring, summer, fall, and winter. The plant life cycle goes from seed to flower to seed dispersal.

Definitions of cycle

1. noun

   a periodically repeated sequence of events
   “a cycle of reprisal and retaliation”

   types:

   merry-go-round

   a never-ending cycle of activities and events (especially when they seem to have little purpose)

   samsara

   (Hinduism and Buddhism) the endless cycle of birth and suffering and death and rebirth

   type of:

   repeat, repetition

   an event that repeats
2. noun

   a single complete execution of a periodically repeated phenomenon
   “a year constitutes a cycle of the seasons”

   synonyms: oscillation

   types:

   cardiac cycle

   the complete cycle of events in the heart from the beginning of one heart beat to the beginning of the next; an electrical impulse conducted through the heart muscle that constricts the atria which is followed by constriction of the ventricles

   Carnot cycle, Carnot's ideal cycle

   a cycle (of expansion and compression) of an idealized reversible heat engine that does work without loss of heat

   pass

   one complete cycle of operations (as by a computer)

   menstrual cycle

   a recurring cycle (beginning at menarche and ending at menopause) in which the endometrial lining of the uterus prepares for pregnancy; if pregnancy does not occur the lining is shed at menstruation

   type of:

   periodic event, recurrent event

   an event that recurs at intervals
3. noun

   the unit of frequency; one hertz has a periodic interval of one second
   synonyms: Hz, cps, cycle per second, cycles/second, hertz

   type of:

   rate

   a magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit
4. noun

   an interval during which a recurring sequence of events occurs
   “the never-ending cycle of the seasons”

   synonyms: rhythm, round

   type of:

   interval, time interval

   a definite length of time marked off by two instants
5. verb

   recur in repeating sequences
   type of:

   recur, repeat

   happen or occur again
6. verb

   cause to go through a recurring sequence
   “cycle the laundry in this washing program”

   types:

   recycle

   cause to repeat a cycle

   type of:

   make pass, pass

   cause to pass
7. verb

   pass through a cycle
   “This machine automatically cycles”

   types:

   cycle on

   come to the starting point of a cycle

   type of:

   go across, go through, pass

   go across or through
8. noun

   a wheeled vehicle that has two wheels and is moved by foot pedals
   synonyms: bicycle, bike, wheel

   types:

   bicycle-built-for-two, tandem, tandem bicycle

   a bicycle with two sets of pedals and two seats

   all-terrain bike, mountain bike, off-roader

   a bicycle with a sturdy frame and fat tires; originally designed for riding in mountainous country

   ordinary, ordinary bicycle

   an early bicycle with a very large front wheel and small back wheel

   push-bike

   a bicycle that must be pedaled

   safety bicycle, safety bike

   bicycle that has two wheels of equal size; pedals are connected to the rear wheel by a multiplying gear

   velocipede

   any of several early bicycles with pedals on the front wheel

   type of:

   wheeled vehicle

   a vehicle that moves on wheels and usually has a container for transporting things or people
9. verb

   ride a motorcycle
   synonyms: motorbike, motorcycle

   type of:

   ride

   be carried or travel on or in a vehicle
10. verb

    ride a bicycle
    synonyms: bicycle, bike, pedal, wheel

    types:

    unicycle

    ride a unicycle

    backpedal

    pedal backwards on a bicycle

    type of:

    ride

    be carried or travel on or in a vehicle
11. noun

    a series of poems or songs on the same theme
    “Schubert's song cycles”

    type of:

    series

    similar things placed in order or happening one after another