Definition Definition

cycle - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'cycle' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Cycle [ n.]
- An imaginary circle or orbit in the heavens; one of the celestial spheres.
- An interval of time in which a certain succession of events or phenomena is completed, and then returns again and again, uniformly and continually in the same order; a periodical space of time marked by the recurrence of something peculiar; as, the cycle of the seasons, or of the year.
- An age; a long period of time.
- An orderly list for a given time; a calendar.
- The circle of subjects connected with the exploits of the hero or heroes of some particular period which have served as a popular theme for poetry, as the legend of Arthur and the knights of the Round Table, and that of Charlemagne and his paladins.
- One entire round in a circle or a spire; as, a cycle or set of leaves.
- A bicycle or tricycle, or other light velocipede.
2 . Cycle [ v. i.]
- To pass through a cycle of changes; to recur in cycles.
- To ride a bicycle, tricycle, or other form of cycle.

Meaning of 'cycle' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . cycle [ n]
Meaning (1):
- a periodically repeated sequence of events
Example in sentence:
  • a cycle of reprisal and retaliation
Meaning (2):
- a single complete execution of a periodically repeated phenomenon
Example in sentence:
  • a year constitutes a cycle of the seasons
Meaning (3):
- a series of poems or songs on the same theme
Example in sentence:
  • Schubert's song cycles
Meaning (4):
- an interval during which a recurring sequence of events occurs
Example in sentence:
  • the never-ending cycle of the seasons
5 . cycle [ v]
Meaning (5):
- cause to go through a recurring sequence
Example in sentence:
  • cycle the laundry in this washing program
Meaning (6):
- pass through a cycle
Example in sentence:
  • This machine automatically cycles