Definition

1. Noun:

   • A series of events that are regularly repeated in the same order: A sequence of events that repeats itself over time.
   • A complete set or series, especially one forming a period of time: A single complete execution of a recurring process.
   • A bicycle or motorcycle: A vehicle with two wheels that is propelled by pedals or an engine.
   • A group of poems, songs, or stories on a common theme: A set of artistic works connected by a shared subject.

2. Verb:

   • To occur in or pass through a cycle: To happen in a repeating sequence.
   • To ride a bicycle or motorcycle: To travel using a two-wheeled vehicle.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The seasons follow a predictable cycle.
  • The washing machine has a quick wash cycle.
  • She rides her cycle to work every day.
  • The composer wrote a famous song cycle about love and loss.

• Verb:

  • The water cycles through the ecosystem.
  • He cycles through the park for exercise.

Advanced Usage

• "To be stuck in a cycle": To be trapped in a repeating pattern of events, often negative.
  • They were stuck in a cycle of debt and poverty.
• "Life cycle": The series of stages in the life of an organism or product.
  • The life cycle of a butterfly includes egg, larva, pupa, and adult stages.
• "Vicious cycle": A situation in which the solution to one problem creates new problems, leading back to the original issue.
  • Lack of sleep causes stress, and stress causes lack of sleep—it's a vicious cycle.

Variants and Related Words

• Cyclical (adj): Occurring in cycles; regularly repeated.
  • The economy experiences cyclical ups and downs.
• Cyclist (n): A person who rides a bicycle.
  • The cyclist won the race.
• Recycle (v): To process used materials so they can be used again.
  • We should recycle paper and plastic.
• Bicycle (n): A vehicle with two wheels, propelled by pedals.
• Motorcycle (n): A vehicle with two wheels, propelled by an engine.

Synonyms

• Noun: Sequence, series, round, rotation, period, bike.
• Verb: Rotate, recur, alternate, bike, pedal.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Cycle through: To go through a series of things in order.
  • The slideshow will cycle through all the images.
• Cycle back (to): To return to a previous point or topic.
  • Let's cycle back to your original question.

Related Idioms

• The cycle of life: The natural process of birth, life, and death.
  • The documentary explored the beautiful and harsh realities of the cycle of life.
• Break the cycle: To stop a repeating pattern of negative behavior or events.
  • She went to therapy to break the cycle of anxiety.

Noun

1. a wheeled vehicle that has two wheels and is moved by foot pedals
2. a single complete execution of a periodically repeated phenomenon
   • a year constitutes a cycle of the seasons
3. the unit of frequency; one hertz has a periodic interval of one second
4. a periodically repeated sequence of events
   • a cycle of reprisal and retaliation
5. a series of poems or songs on the same theme
   • Schubert's song cycles
6. an interval during which a recurring sequence of events occurs
   • the never-ending cycle of the seasons

Verb

1. recur in repeating sequences
2. ride a bicycle
3. ride a motorcycle
4. pass through a cycle
   • This machine automatically cycles
5. cause to go through a recurring sequence
   • cycle the laundry in this washing program