picket
1pick·et
noun \ˈpi-kət\Definition of PICKET
1
: a pointed or sharpened stake, post, or pale
2
a : a detached body of soldiers serving to guard an army from surprise b : a detachment kept ready in camp for such duty c : sentry
3
: a person posted by a labor organization at a place of work affected by a strike; also : a person posted for a demonstration or protest
Examples of PICKET
- a house surrounded by a white picket fence
- Pickets marched in front of the company headquarters.
- The strikers held picket signs painted with angry slogans.
- The students were barred from holding a picket outside the company's headquarters.
Origin of PICKET
French piquet, from Middle French, from piquer to prick — more at pike
First Known Use: circa 1702
Related to PICKET
2picket
verbDefinition of PICKET
transitive verb
1
: to enclose, fence, or fortify with pickets
2
a : to guard with a picket b : to post as a picket
3
: tether
4
a : to post pickets at b : to walk or stand in front of as a picket
intransitive verb
: to serve as a picket
— pick·et·er noun
Examples of PICKET
- Workers picketed outside the grocery store.
- The union is picketing the factory.
First Known Use of PICKET
1745
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