/ ˈpedl; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
1.
a flat bar on a machine such as a bicycle, car, etc. that you push down with your foot in order to make parts of the machine move or work :
I couldn't reach the pedals on her bike.
She pressed her foot down sharply on the brake pedal.
—picture at bicycle
2.
a bar on a musical instrument such as a piano or an organ that you push with your foot in order to control the sound
—picture at piano
■ verb ( -ll- , US also -l- )
1.
[+ adv. / prep. ] to ride a bicycle somewhere :
[ v ]
I saw her pedalling along the towpath.
He jumped on his bike and pedalled off.
[ vn ]
She pedalled her bicycle up the track.
2.
to turn or press the pedals on a bicycle or other machine :
[ v ]
You'll have to pedal hard up this hill.
[ vn ]
She had been pedalling her exercise bike all morning.
—see also back-pedal , soft-pedal
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WORD ORIGIN
early 17th cent. (denoting a foot-operated lever of an organ): from French pédale , from Italian pedale , from Latin pedalis a foot in length, from pes , ped- foot.