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

1. a house surrounded by a white picket fence
2. Pickets marched in front of the company headquarters.
3. The strikers held picket signs painted with angry slogans.
4. 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

Synonyms

custodian, guardian, keeper, lookout, minder, guard, sentinel, sentry, warden, warder, watch, watcher, watchman

Related Words

observer, patrol, spotter, surveillant, watchdog; bodyguard, convoy, defender, escort, honor guard; gatekeeper; hack [slang]

Rhymes with PICKET

cricket, Pickett, pricket, stickit, thicket, ticket, wicket

²picket

verb

Definition 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

1. Workers picketed outside the grocery store.
2. The union is picketing the factory.

First Known Use of PICKET

1745

Rhymes with PICKET

cricket, ticket