Trikes

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of human-powered vehicle that typically has three wheels, often designed for stability and ease of use in riding
2. A three-wheeled bike commonly used by children or as a recreational activity, providing a balance between walking and cycling
3. A three-wheeled cycle that offers enhanced safety and comfort, catering to a range of ages and skill levels in riding

Etymology: "Trikes" is the plural of "trike", a word that came from shortening "tricycle" and was modelled on "bike". Because "bike" was itself a clipping of "bicycle", the newer term follows the same pattern: a long word trimmed to its first syllable, with "tri-" standing in for the three wheels. The result is a casual, friendly name for the vehicle, which is one reason it is common in talk about children's riders and adult recumbent models alike. The word also has a second, unrelated source. "Trike" is a shortening of "triceratops", the horned dinosaur, so the same clipped form can point to a prehistoric reptile as easily as to a vehicle. Both uses share the same sound, but only the bicycle sense is relevant to a plural like "trikes", which refers to the machines themselves.

Synonyms: tricycles, three-wheelers