rhizoverbBeta
DictionarycycleRepeating sequence
noun / verb

cycle

SIGH-kuhl/ˈsaɪkl/

A repeating sequence of events or stages.

The plant’s cycle runs from seed to growth and back to seed.

Four natural vignettes arranged in a circle show seed, sprout, flowering plant and seedpod, simple curved arrows connect repeated growth cycle, no text.
Etymology
cycleGreekcircle, wheel

Kyklos linked a circle or wheel with circular motion and recurring events. A cycle of events follows that image: its stages come round again, originally especially in the regular return of astronomical phenomena.

In context

United States Institute of Peace351:42
the cycle of drought has shortened uh the last one when I was humanitarian commissioner 2011 uh is it now just about time to be hit again
Passing the Baton 2017: America's Role in the World (Full Day)

More examples

  • The machine cycles through three stages.
  • We studied the life cycle of the insect.
  • A new cycle began after the old one ended.

Forms

cycle · cycles · cycled · cycling

Similar words

sequence
Events in order, not necessarily repeating.
round
One complete repetition.