Word part · Latin root
Ped root words: meaning and 16 examples
In short
The Latin root ped (from Latin) means "foot". It is also spelled pede and pedi. Words with it include pedal, pedals, pedaled, biped, bipedal and pedicure. A pedal is pushed with the foot and a pedestrian travels on foot.
- Part
- ped
- Meaning
- foot
- Origin
- Latin
- Also spelled
- pede, pedi
- Words listed
- 16
A pedal is pushed with the foot and a pedestrian travels on foot. A Greek ped meaning child looks the same, so check the meaning.
Words with the Latin root ped
The list runs from shorter, common words to longer ones. The bands are a rough guide built from syllable count and how common each word is in our word list, not a grade-level standard. Read each word, then its word sum.
Colors:prefixroot or basesuffix
Start here: short, common words (about grades 3 and 4)
| Word | Word sum | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| pedal | ped (root or base)+al (suffix)→pedal | a lever you push with your foot |
Next: longer words (about grades 5 and 6)
| Word | Word sum | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| pedals | ped (root or base)+al (suffix)+s (suffix)→pedals | more than one pedal |
| pedaled | ped (root or base)+al (suffix)+ed (suffix)→pedaled | pushed the pedals with your feet |
| biped | bi (prefix)+ped (root or base)→biped | an animal that walks on two feet |
| bipedal | bi (prefix)+ped (root or base)+al (suffix)→bipedal | walking on two feet |
| pedicure | pedi (root or base)+cure (root or base)→pedicure | care for the feet and toenails |
| impede | im (prefix)+pede (root or base)→impedethe prefix changes to match | get in the way, as if tying someone's feet |
More words: pedestal, centipede, millipede, quadruped
Stretch: long or less common words (about grades 7 and 8)
| Word | Word sum | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| pedometer | ped (root or base)+o (connector)+meter (root or base)→pedometeradd a connecting vowel | a tool that counts your steps |
More words: pedestrian, pedestrians, expedition, impediment
Where does ped sit in a word?
A root can come first, last or in the middle. Students who only look at the start of a word miss half of these.
- At the start:
- pedal, pedals, pedaled, pedicure, pedometer
- In the middle:
- bipedal
- At the end:
- biped, impede
How do you teach the root ped?
Have the student tap a foot, then show pedal. A bike pedal is pushed with the foot. Pedestrian comes next: a person traveling on foot. Biped is a fun science word, bi (two) plus ped (foot), and students quickly guess quadruped. Centipede gives you a laugh and a lesson, since no centipede has exactly a hundred feet. The root is short, so it works from grade 3.
A quick routine
Say, "Ped means foot. Every word today has feet in it." Show pedal, pedestrian, biped, centipede and pedometer. The student reads each, finds ped, and answers: "Where are the feet?" (pushing, walking, two of them, many of them, counting steps). Then ask, "Is a bird a biped?" The student answers yes and explains. Spell pedal and pedaled to finish.
What do students mix up with ped?
Greek has a ped too, meaning child, as in pediatrician, a children's doctor. Same letters, different root. Pedicure is a foot word and pediatrician is a child word, which makes a good pair to sort. Speed and peddle are look-alikes with no feet in their meaning, so they stay off this list.
For the sounds inside these words, see the phonics word lists. Routines that fit: meanings of prefixes and suffixes, circle the parts, read the base and flexible routine for big words.
Questions people ask
What does the root ped mean?
Ped means "foot". It is a Latin root, also spelled pede and pedi. A pedal is pushed with the foot and a pedestrian travels on foot. A Greek ped meaning child looks the same, so check the meaning.
What are some words with the root ped?
Start with pedal. Then move to pedals, pedaled, pedometer and pedestrian. This page lists 16 words in all, most with a word sum that shows the parts.
Is pediatrician from the root ped meaning foot?
No. Pediatrician comes from a Greek ped that means child, so a pediatrician is a doctor for children. The Latin ped on this page means foot. Use the meaning to tell them apart.
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