pedal

Universal Words 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. * a pedal boat (= one driven by pedals) 2 a bar on a musical instrument such as a piano or an organ that you push with your foot in order to produce or control the sound verb (-ll-, AmE 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. * She pedalled away down the hill. * [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. * You can stop pedalling and freewheel for a while. * [VN] She had been pedalling her exercise bike all morning. seealsoBACK-PEDAL, SOFT-PEDAL