cycle
noun
cy·cle
| \ ˈsī-kəl
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Definition of cycle
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: an interval of time during which a sequence of a recurring succession of events or phenomena is completed
a 4-year cycle of growth and development
2a
: a course or series of events or operations that recur regularly and usually lead back to the starting point
… the common cycle of birth, growth, senescence, and death.— T. C. Schneirla and Gerard Piel
b
: one complete performance of a vibration, electric oscillation, current alternation, or other periodic process
c
: a permutation of a set of ordered elements in which each element takes the place of the next and the last becomes first
d
: a takeoff and landing of an airplane
3
: a circular or spiral arrangement: such as
a
: an imaginary circle or orbit in the heavens
b
: ring sense 10
4
: a long period of time : age
5a
: a group of creative works (such as poems, plays, or songs) treating the same theme
a cycle of poems about unrequited love
b
: a series of narratives dealing typically with the exploits of a legendary hero
the Arthurian cycle
7
: the series of a single, double, triple, and home run hit in any order by one player during one baseball game
cycle
verb
cycled;
cycling\ ˈsī-k(ə-)liŋ
\
\
Definition of cycle (Entry 2 of 2)
1a
: to pass through a cycle
The menu cycles through all the options. Because the traditional HVAC system cycles on and off—and is powered down when you leave—relief is inconsistent at best.— Sarah Littleton
b
: to recur in cycles
Freezing temperatures … aren't the problem. It's when temperatures cycle between freezing and thaws, causing pavement to contract and expand … that can create larger issues.— Jonathan Oosting
: to cause to go through a cycle
The fact that it [the pump] runs constantly may be a bad sign. It may be cycling the water, not removing it. — Popular Mechanics Everything is constantly cycled in nature. There is abundant waste in nature, just as there is in industry, but in nature waste constantly flows back into living systems.— Paul Hawken and William McDonough