'motorcycle' originates from the combination of 'motor' and 'cycle', where 'motor' refers to an engine and 'cycle' refers to a two-wheeled vehicle.

'motorcycle' changed from the earlier term 'motor bicycle' and eventually became the modern English word 'motorcycle'.

Initially, it meant 'a bicycle with a motor', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a two-wheeled motor vehicle'.