pedal

plural pedals

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.

   the pedal of a loom

   3 more examples

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

   A piano usually has two or three pedals.

   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; […]

   1996, Galen Crane, “Gear without Fear”, in Adirondack Life, volumes 27–28, Keene, N.Y.: Adirondack Life, →OCLC, page 4

2. medicinean orthopedic structure or a footlike part.
3. entertainmentAn effects unit, especially one designed to be activated by being stepped on.
4. humorousequestrianismA stirrup.
5. entertainmentThe ranks of pipes played from the pedal-board of an organ.

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

present singular third person pedals · US participle present pedaling · UK participle present pedalling · US participle past pedaled · US past pedaled · UK participle past pedalled · UK past pedalled

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

   to pedal one's loom

2. intransitiveTo operate a bicycle.

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

   4 more examples

   In the 1890’s “women were behind the stove,” he relates. But they cycled, too. “And they had difficulty pedalling bicycles with ankle-length skirts. “At the time,” Taylor said, “the most sinful thing a woman could do was to show light between her legs. “The original culotte was designed by a LAW member’s wife. The churches (in the East) termed this bepantsed female activity of biking “sinful bicycling,” he noted.

   1975 April 17, Jack Weatherly, “Dallas or Bust”, in The Courier News, volume 80, number 286, Blytheville, Ark., page 8, column 3

   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.

   2009, Dennis Bailey, Keith Gates, Bike Repair and Maintenance For Dummies, John Wiley & Sons, →ISBN

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

   2010 June, Wendelin Van Draanen, “Vinnie Gets Grilled”, in The Power Potion (The Gecko & Sticky), New York, N.Y.: Alfred A. Knopf, →ISBN, page 46

   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.

   2020 August 29, Jeremy Whittle, “Alexander Kristoff takes Tour de France yellow jersey after day of crashe”, in The Guardian

1. not comparableOf or relating to the foot.