bipedalism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Academic, Technical, Scientific
Quick answer
What does “bipedalism” mean?
The condition of using two legs for walking.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The condition of using two legs for walking.
The adaptation of an organism for moving on two limbs; the primary form of locomotion for humans and some other animals.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or usage differences. The term is equally technical in both variants.
Connotations
Neutral, scientific in both regions.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency and specialized in both British and American English.
Grammar
How to Use “bipedalism” in a Sentence
The [noun] of bipedalismBipedalism in [noun]Adapt for/to bipedalismVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bipedalism” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The bipedal hominin fossils were remarkably preserved.
- Kangaroos use a bipedal hopping gait.
American English
- The bipedal adaptation freed the hands for tool use.
- Bipedal robots are a major engineering challenge.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Common in anthropology, biology, paleontology, and anatomy papers. e.g., 'The paper examines the selective pressures leading to hominin bipedalism.'
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation.
Technical
Core term in relevant scientific fields. Used with precision to describe specific locomotive adaptations.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bipedalism”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bipedalism”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bipedalism”
- Misspelling as 'bipedalizm'.
- Using it to describe animals that only occasionally stand on two legs (e.g., bears), rather than those for which it is the primary locomotion.
- Pronouncing it as /ˈbaɪpɛdəlɪzəm/ (wrong stress).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While it's central to human evolution, other animals like birds (ostriches), some dinosaurs (theropods), and primates (like gibbons when walking) also exhibit forms of bipedalism.
They are often used synonymously in scientific literature. 'Bipedalism' is slightly more common and refers to the condition or practice. 'Bipedality' can sound more formal or technical.
No. The adjective form is 'bipedal'. 'Bipedalism' is a noun. You would say 'bipedal locomotion', not 'bipedalism locomotion'.
No. The prefix 'bi-' refers to two, and 'ped' specifically refers to feet. Bipedalism is locomotion using the two *hind limbs* or *legs*. Locomotion on two arms would be 'bimanual locomotion'.
The condition of using two legs for walking.
Bipedalism is usually academic, technical, scientific in register.
Bipedalism: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbaɪˈpiːd(ə)lɪz(ə)m/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbaɪˈpiːdəlɪzəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'BI' (two) + 'PED' (foot/leg) + 'ALISM' (condition of) = the condition of having two legs for walking.
Conceptual Metaphor
UPRIGHTNESS IS PROGRESS (in evolutionary narratives).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes 'bipedalism'?