plural pedals
1
a
: a lever pressed by the foot in the playing of a musical instrument (such as an organ or piano)
b
: an electronic device that is usually pressed by the foot and that alters or loops the sound of an amplified voice or musical instrument
a guitar pedal
an effects pedal
a wah-wah pedal
2
: a foot lever or treadle by which a part is activated in a mechanism
a bike's pedals
ped·al
pedaled also pedalled; pedaling also pedalling
ˈpe-dᵊl-iŋ 
ˈped-liŋ
: to work the pedals of
Examples of pedal in a Sentence
Verb
He was pedaling as fast as he could.
He pedaled down to the store.
Recent Examples on the Web
Tribune News Service, Twin Cities, 18 Nov. 2024
The company fleet also includes traditional-looking SUVs with a driver's seat, steering wheel, and pedals, presumably for testing with a safety driver.
—Emily Dreibelbis Forlini, PCMAG, 11 Nov. 2024
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
With each attempt to balance, pedal, and steer, a memory trace begins to form in your brain.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 7 Nov. 2024
Tektro hydraulic brakes front and rear slow the 20 by 3-inch tires down, and riders can either pedal with three levels of assist across eight rear gears or just enjoy the ride without pedaling via thumb throttle that tops out at 20 mph.
—William Roberson, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pedal 
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Noun
Waymo and General Motors Co.’s Cruise have to this point largely only deployed autonomous cars that still have steering wheels and pedals, despite their ability to operate without a human in the driver’s seat.
—Tribune News Service, Twin Cities, 18 Nov. 2024
The company fleet also includes traditional-looking SUVs with a driver's seat, steering wheel, and pedals, presumably for testing with a safety driver.
—Emily Dreibelbis Forlini, PCMAG, 11 Nov. 2024
Adjective
In snow driving, like my colleague did with the Sorento last winter, having some pedal glide can be a benefit.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
With each attempt to balance, pedal, and steer, a memory trace begins to form in your brain.
—William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
Verb
One of the other frat brothers adjusts the seat height, climbs aboard, and begins pedaling.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 7 Nov. 2024
Tektro hydraulic brakes front and rear slow the 20 by 3-inch tires down, and riders can either pedal with three levels of assist across eight rear gears or just enjoy the ride without pedaling via thumb throttle that tops out at 20 mph.
—William Roberson, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pedal
Dictionary Entries Near pedal
Cite this Entry
“Pedal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pedal. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pedal
1 of 2 noun
ped·al
ˈped-ᵊl
: a lever (as on a piano, bicycle, or sewing machine) worked by the foot
pedal
2 of 2 verb
pedaled also pedalled; pedaling also pedalling
ˈped-ᵊl-iŋ,
-liŋ
1
: to use or work the pedals of something
2
: to ride a bicycle
Etymology
Noun
from early French pedale "a foot lever on an organ," from Italian pedale (same meaning), from Latin pedalis "of the foot," from ped-, pes "foot" — related to pedestrian
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