French word

peloton

Pronunciation

IPA/pəlotɔ̃/

Meaning

  • masculine nounpack

Example

Un peloton de cyclistes est passé devant nous.

A pack of cyclists passed by us.

Illustration for peloton (pack)

More examples

Le sprinteur a réussi à s'échapper du peloton.

The sprinter managed to break away from the pack.

Core concept

A tight moving pack whose members stay close together instead of traveling separately.

Common phrases

  • mener le peloton

    lead the pack

  • le peloton de tête

    front pack

Similar words

groupe: A collection of several people or things gathered together.
file: A line of people or vehicles arranged one behind another.
foule: A dense crowd of many people gathered in one place.
bande: A small group of companions who act together.

Definition in French

Groupe compact de personnes ou de véhicules se déplaçant ensemble, en particulier le groupe principal dans une course cycliste.

Word origin

French peloton developed as a diminutive of pelote, meaning a ball or ball of thread, and later referred to compact bodies such as military units and cycling groups.

Usage tips

  • In cycling, le peloton usually means the main bunch, while a breakaway group is described separately.

Other meanings

  • ballnoun
  • platoonnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word