pedal

1 of 3

noun

ped·​al ˈpe-dᵊl How to pronounce pedal (audio)
plural pedals
1
a
: a lever pressed by the foot in the playing of a musical instrument (such as an organ or piano)
b
: an electronic device that is usually pressed by the foot and that alters or loops the sound of an amplified voice or musical instrument
a guitar pedal
an effects pedal
a wah-wah pedal
2
: a foot lever or treadle by which a part is activated in a mechanism
a bike's pedals

pedal

2 of 3

adjective

ped·​al
1
ˈpe-dᵊl How to pronounce pedal (audio)
 also  ˈpē-
 : of or relating to the foot
2
ˈpe-dᵊl How to pronounce pedal (audio) : of, relating to, or involving a pedal

pedal

3 of 3

verb

ped·​al ˈpe-dᵊl How to pronounce pedal (audio)
pedaled also pedalled; pedaling also pedalling ˈpe-dᵊl-iŋ How to pronounce pedal (audio)
ˈped-liŋ

intransitive verb

1
: to ride a bicycle
2
: to use or work a pedal

transitive verb

: to work the pedals of

Examples of pedal in a Sentence

Verb He was pedaling as fast as he could. He pedaled down to the store.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Less than two months later, in April, the entire early production run of the Cybertruck was recalled because its accelerator pedal could dislodge when high force is applied and become stuck underneath a part of the interior trim. —Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 26 June 2024 After navigating the pandemic years and stretching its legs with a clutch of openings, the brand is ready to put pedal to the metal. —Lily Templeton, WWD, 25 June 2024
Adjective
Rodeo, fair queen contest, muddy hog competition, BBQ classic, pedal tractor pull, AG Olympics, cornhole competition, baby contest and more. —Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 15 June 2024 And in Sport mode, the first inch of throttle pedal travel delivers more than enough of that torque to jolt your passengers' heads back into their headrests. —Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 23 May 2024
Verb
Families would spread picnic blankets across the grassy knolls as bikers safely pedaled down paths devoid of cars. —Clarence Williams, Washington Post, 8 July 2024 Rent a bike and pedal through the historic neighborhoods or along the gorgeous coast. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 29 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for pedal 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pedal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from Middle French pedalle "pedal of an organ," borrowed from Italian pedale, earlier, "base of a tree trunk," going back to Latin pedālis "one foot long" (as noun pedāle "footwear") — more at pedal entry 2

Adjective

borrowed from Latin pedālis "one foot long," from ped-, pēs "foot" + -ālis -al entry 1; (sense 2) from attributive use of pedal entry 1 — more at foot entry 1

Verb

derivative of pedal entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1618, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1883, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pedal was in 1611

Phrases Containing pedal

Dictionary Entries Near pedal

pedagogy

pedal

pedalboard

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Pedal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pedal. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.

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Kids Definition

pedal

1 of 2 noun
ped·​al ˈped-ᵊl How to pronounce pedal (audio)
: a lever (as on a piano, bicycle, or sewing machine) worked by the foot

pedal

2 of 2 verb
pedaled also pedalled; pedaling also pedalling
ˈped-ᵊl-iŋ,
-liŋ
1
: to use or work the pedals of something
2
: to ride a bicycle
Etymology

Noun

from early French pedale "a foot lever on an organ," from Italian pedale (same meaning), from Latin pedalis "of the foot," from ped-, pes "foot" — related to pedestrian

Medical Definition

pedal

adjective
ped·​al
ˈped-ᵊl also ˈpēd-
: of or relating to the foot

More from Merriam-Webster on pedal

Nglish: Translation of pedal for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of pedal for Arabic Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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