motorcycling

IPA/ˈməʊtəsaɪklɪŋ/
IPA/ˈməʊtərsaɪklɪŋ/

motorcycling — noun

1. the hobby, sport, or daily activity of riding a motorcycle, especially for fun,

1.nounB1
Definition

the hobby, sport, or daily activity of riding a motorcycle, especially for fun, travel, or competition

Example

Naoko's father taught her to ride at age twelve, and motorcycling became her favourite hobby.

motorcycling as a lifelong hobby

Motorcycling on mountain roads can be dangerous, so experienced riders always wear protective gear.

Common collocations
  • go motorcycling
  • take up motorcycling
  • motorcycling club
  • motorcycling trip
Synonyms
  • motorcycle riding

    more literal, can describe a single journey rather than a hobby

  • biking

    informal; can also refer to bicycle riding, so context is needed

  • motorbiking

    less common synonym; more casual in tone

Usage Note

Unlike 'motorcycle riding', which can describe a single instance, 'motorcycling' refers to the general activity, hobby, or sport. Common in the pattern 'go motorcycling'.

Common Mistakes

I motorcycling every weekend with my friends.
I go motorcycling every weekend with my friends.
'motorcycling' is a noun, not a verb; use 'go + -ing' to describe the activity.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All three alternatives describe the act of riding a motorcycle. 'Motorcycle riding' is the most literal and flexible — it can refer to a single journey ('the motorcycle riding I did yesterday') or the general activity. 'Biking' is more informal and widely used in conversation, but it is ambiguous because it can also mean cycling on a bicycle; context usually clarifies. 'Motorbiking' sits somewhere in between: it is less common than 'motorcycling' and slightly more casual, often used in British English. In writing, 'motorcycling' is the standard, neutral term for the hobby or sport, while the alternatives carry more informality or ambiguity. For example: 'Motorcycling is her main hobby' sounds natural and formal, while 'She loves biking' could mean motorcycles or bicycles depending on context.

motorcycle ridingbiking ↗motorbiking

Common collocations

Nouns

  • motorcycling enthusiast
  • motorcycling accident
  • motorcycling gear
  • motorcycling community

Phrases

  • go motorcycling
  • take up motorcycling
  • get into motorcycling

Prepositions

  • into motorcycling
  • in motorcycling

Etymology

LatinGreekEnglish

Motorcycling is formed from 'motorcycle' and the suffix '-ing', which turns a noun into a noun describing an activity. 'Motorcycle' itself comes from 'motor' (from Latin 'movere', meaning 'to move') combined with 'cycle' (from Greek 'kyklos', meaning 'wheel' or 'circle'), originally describing a vehicle with an engine on two wheels. The word began appearing in English in the late 1800s as motorcycles became popular.