cycle

word

/ˈsaɪkəɫ/
SY-kuhl
/sˈaɪkəl/
SY-kuhl

Definition

A cycle is a series of events or stages that repeat in the same order. It can also mean a bicycle or the activity of riding one, depending on the context.

Usage & Nuances

Most often, 'cycle' means a repeating pattern in formal, academic, or everyday contexts: 'the life cycle', 'the news cycle'. As a verb, 'cycle' is less common than 'ride a bike' in everyday speech, but it is natural in health, transport, and British English contexts.

Example Sentences

Water moves through a natural cycle in the environment.

basic

She cycles to school every day.

basic

Every few years, fashion cycles back and suddenly everything looks familiar again.

natural

The machine starts a new cycle every ten minutes.

basic

I’m trying to break the cycle of staying up late and feeling awful the next day.

natural

We rented bikes and cycled along the river all afternoon.

natural