pedal

noun

1. 1

   A lever operated by one's foot that is used to control or power a machine or mechanism, such as a bicycle or piano.

   There are three pedals on manual cars, two on automatics.

   A piano usually has two or three pedals.

   the pedal of a loom

   Of the Adirondackers who make their homes here and then rarely use them—the outdoorsiest of the outdoorspeople—some climb mountains, others cliffs; some push pedals, other paddles; […]

2. 2

   an orthopedic structure or a footlike part.

3. 3

   An effects unit, especially one designed to be activated by being stepped on.

4. 4

   A stirrup.

5. 5

   The ranks of pipes played from the pedal-board of an organ.

   A small organ commonly has only one or two ranks on the pedal.

verb

1. 1

   To operate a pedal attached to a wheel in a continuous circular motion.

   to pedal one's loom

2. 2

   To operate a bicycle.

   He was out of breath from pedalling up the steep hill.

   Crucial to the crankset is the bottom bracket. Of all the bearings on a bike, the bottom bracket is the one that has to bear the heaviest load. Not only does the bottom bracket have to spin while you pedal, but it takes the force of all the twisting and turning that occurs during pedaling.

   The old man's backside fizgigged with laughter. "See ya, kid!" he called as Dave pedaled away.

   Pinot was among those involved in the huge pile-up just as the race entered the final three kilometres. Grazes were visible under his torn clothing as he pedalled, with a face like thunder, to the finish line.

adjective

1. 1

   Of or relating to the foot.

Forms

plural

pedals

past tense

pedaled, pedalled

past participle

pedaled, pedalled

present participle

pedaling, pedalling

third person singular

pedals