Cycles Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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cycles

[ˈsaɪkəlz ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

riding

Cycles refer to a series of events or phenomena that repeat regularly in the same order. In the context of riding, cycles can also mean bicycles or motorcycles.

Synonyms

patterns, recurring events.

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Word Description / Examples
cycles

Typically used to describe repetitive sequences or phases in various contexts such as life cycles, business cycles, weather cycles, or menstrual cycles.

  • The company's profits go through regular cycles of growth and decline.
  • Understanding the water cycle is essential for environmental science.
recurring events

Used to describe specific events or situations that happen repeatedly at regular intervals, often in scheduling or planning contexts.

  • Our weekly team meeting is a recurring event every Monday at 10 AM.
  • The town festival is a recurring event held every summer.
patterns

Often used to describe consistent and repeated designs, habits, behaviors, or data occurrences. Can be applied in contexts like clothing designs, human behavior, and data analysis.

  • The wallpaper has beautiful floral patterns.
  • Researchers are studying patterns in consumer spending.

Examples of usage

  • The water cycle is a crucial process for the Earth's ecosystem.
  • She noticed a pattern in the cycles of the moon.
  • He enjoys going on long cycles through the countryside.
Context #2 | Verb

repeating

To cycle means to go through a series of events or phenomena that repeat regularly.

Synonyms

repeat, rotate.

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Word Description / Examples
cycles

Can also refer to a series of events or changes that repeat regularly.

  • The water cycles between the ocean and the atmosphere.
  • The carbon cycles through the environment.
repeat

Often used in everyday conversation to talk about doing something again or several times.

  • Can you repeat what you just said?
  • I will repeat the experiment to confirm the results.
rotate

Describes the action of an object turning around an axis or a point.

  • The Earth rotates around its axis.
  • Rotate the handle to open the door.

Examples of usage

  • The stock market cycles through periods of growth and decline.
  • She cycled through her wardrobe to find the perfect outfit.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Nature

  • The water cycle describes how water evaporates, forms clouds, and returns as rain, illustrating a key natural phenomenon.
  • Plant cycles, like blooming and hibernation, show how flora adapts to seasonal changes.
  • Every year, animal migrations create cycles as species move to find food and suitable habitats.

Astronomy

  • The lunar cycle describes the phases of the moon, from new moon to full moon, occurring roughly every 29.5 days.
  • Earth's rotation on its axis creates a daily cycle of day and night.
  • Seasons change in cycles, influenced by the Earth's tilt and orbit around the sun, repeating every year.

Psychology

  • Human emotions often follows cycles, reflecting patterns of mood changes, such as during seasonal affective disorder.
  • Sleep cycles involve several stages of rest and wakefulness, repeating multiple times throughout the night.
  • Learning can also follow cyclical patterns, where knowledge must be revisited and reinforced over time.

Technology

  • In tech, development processes are often cycled through phases of planning, execution, and review.
  • Software updates can happen in cycles, which keeps programs running efficiently and securely.
  • Recycling is a physical cycle where materials are processed to re-enter production, promoting sustainability.

Origin of 'cycles'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Greek 'kyklus', meaning 'circle' or 'ring', which reflects the repeating nature of cycles.
  • Related terms like 'bicycle' and 'unicycle' also originate from 'kyklus', alluding to their circular movement.
  • In Latin, 'cyclus' was used to describe the circle of life and the repetitive elements in nature.

The word 'cycles' originated from the Greek word 'kuklos', meaning circle or ring. It entered the English language in the 14th century with the sense of a recurring series of events. Over time, the term has evolved to encompass various meanings related to repetition and patterns in different contexts.


See also: bicycle, cycle, cyclic, cyclical, cycling, cyclist, recycle, upcycle.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,563, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.