pocket

1 of 3

noun

pock·​et ˈpä-kət How to pronounce pocket (audio)
1
a
: a small bag carried by a person : purse
b
: a small bag that is sewed or inserted in a garment so that it is open at the top or side
coat pocket
2
: supply of money : means
3
: receptacle, container: such as
a
: an opening at the corner or side of a billiard table
b
: a superficial pouch in some animals
4
: a small often isolated area or group
pockets of unemployment
:
a
: a cavity containing a deposit (as of gold, water, or gas)
5
: a place for a batten made by sewing a strip on a sail
6
b
: the position of a contestant in a race hemmed in by others
c
: an area formed by blockers from which a football quarterback attempts to pass
7
: the concave area at the base of the finger sections of a baseball glove or mitt in which the ball is normally caught
pocketful noun

pocket

2 of 3

verb

pocketed; pocketing; pockets

transitive verb

1
a
: to put or enclose in or as if in one's pocket
pocketed the change
b
: to appropriate to one's own use : steal
c
: to refuse assent to (a bill) by a pocket veto
2
: to put up with : accept
3
: to set aside : suppress
pocketed his pride
4
a
: to hem in
b
: to drive (a ball) into a pocket of a pool table
5
: to cover or supply with pockets
pocketable adjective

pocket

3 of 3

adjective

1
a
: small enough to be carried in the pocket
b
: small, miniature
a pocket park
2
a
: of or relating to money
b
: carried in or paid from one's own pocket
Phrases
in one's pocket
: in one's control or possession
in pocket
1
: provided with funds
2
: in the position of having made a profit
out of pocket
1
: low on money or funds
2
: having suffered a loss
3
: from cash on hand

Examples of pocket in a Sentence

Noun He keeps his gloves in his coat pocket. She was standing there with her hands in her pockets. I have a hole in my pocket. Her pocket was full of change. There are pockets on the back of each car seat. a zippered pocket on the front of a suitcase Verb The chairman was fired for pocketing funds. The saleswoman had overcharged them and pocketed the difference. a professional golfer who pocketed more than four million dollars in winnings I had to pocket my pride and ask for some help. Adjective his pocket involvement in the company was minimal
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Both coats have zippered pockets, and the shell has an additional zippered chest pocket. Maya Polton, Parents, 14 Mar. 2024 Other practical features include four zippered pockets, two mesh pockets, and a wide adjustable strap. Isabel Garcia, Peoplemag, 14 Mar. 2024 The pocket and the maturity, the style of rapping, the beats, the execution, the confidence. Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 14 Mar. 2024 Kangaroo pockets free up hands while keeping essentials close. Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 13 Mar. 2024 Meanwhile, rolling walkers have either three or four wheels and often include a seat as well as storage baskets or pockets. Sarah Bradley, Verywell Health, 12 Mar. 2024 Indeed, some people believe that the Times puzzle arbitrates which facts and public figures every American should know—or, alternatively, what kinds of esoteric trivia are especially impressive to have in one’s back pocket. Sophia Stewart, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2024 And some patients are even having to pay out of pocket for their refills. Sara Moniuszko, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2024 Over in a prime pocket of the Beverly Hills Post Office neighborhood of Los Angeles, Amanda Leigh and Taylor Hahn of House of Rolison have done it again, hoisting their latest swoon-worthy makeover project onto the market for a smidge under $6 million. Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 11 Mar. 2024
Verb
Real estate agents make money by pocketing a percentage of a home's sale price. Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 15 Mar. 2024 The family room sports walls of pocketing Fleetwood glass doors that disappear, allowing for easy access to an al fresco dining patio. James McClain, Robb Report, 4 Mar. 2024 Nvidia has just $26 billion in cash and equivalents, an increase from $18.3 billion in Q3 and $13.3 billion in the year ago quarter as Nvidia is pocketing more cash. Beth Kindig, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024 Not all that money was spent on ads during football games, but the NFL has by far the largest television audience of any sport or entertainment programming, which means its broadcasters are pocketing a lions’ share of the ad dollars. Chris Isidore, CNN, 10 Feb. 2024 And in an interview with Fox News that summer, the documentary notes, van der Sloot provides falsified details around Holloway’s disappearance in order to pocket $25,000, feeding his gambling addiction. Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 1 Mar. 2024 Were Biden and the Democrats secretly pocketing some of the money? Danielle Paquette, Washington Post, 29 Feb. 2024 All told 425,000 law firms in the U.S. pocketed $78 billion in profits last year, according to IBISWorld, flaunting a 20% average profit margin—slightly higher than a darling of private equity, software publishing. Brandon Kochkodin, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024 Over the last four weeks, the Warriors are 8-4 having pocketed comfortable and clutch wins with one of the NBA’s best defenses over that span. Shayna Rubin, The Mercury News, 15 Feb. 2024
Adjective
The Vault by Vans x Nicole McLaughlin Collection includes special-edition versions of the iconic Vans Slip-On VP VR3 LX with adaptations—think canvas pockets and easy-carry heel straps—inspired by a classic multi-pocket garden tote and workwear bucket bag often used on construction job sites. Hollyanna McCollom, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Mar. 2023 No multi-pocket backpacks or bags. Britt Julious, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2022 The anti-pocket prejudice in women’s clothing runs deep. Amanda Foreman, WSJ, 29 Sep. 2022 On its e-commerce site this June, Banana Republic launched the BR Vintage collection: 225 items from the company’s safari-style past, including khaki shirts, lengthy suede jackets and multi-pocket photojournalist vests. Jacob Gallagher, WSJ, 7 Sep. 2021 My favorite and most-used is the Patagonia Baggies Brimmer ($50), which looks like a safari hat and should probably be matched with one of those tan, multi-pocket vests. Jakob Schiller, Outside Online, 1 June 2021 The women’s ready-to-wear blends utilitarian and sporty aesthetics, with multi-pocket skirts, gym sets and transformable jackets all dripping in the new logo. Isabel Lord, Forbes, 13 May 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pocket.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English poket, from Anglo-French poket, pochete, diminutive of poke, pouche bag — more at pouch

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1588, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1576, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of pocket was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near pocket

Cite this Entry

“Pocket.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pocket. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

pocket

1 of 3 noun
pock·​et ˈpäk-ət How to pronounce pocket (audio)
1
a
: a small bag carried by a person : purse
b
: a small bag open at the top or side inserted in a garment
coat pocket
2
: supply of money : means
3
: container
especially : a bag at the corner or side of a billiard table
4
: something like a pocket
a pocket of gold in a mine
5

pocket

2 of 3 verb
1
a
: to put or enclose in a pocket
pocketed the change
b
: to take for one's own use especially dishonestly
pocket the profits
2
: to set aside : suppress
pocketed my anger
3
: to supply with pockets

pocket

3 of 3 adjective
1
a
: small enough to fit in the pocket
b
: smaller than the usual size
a pocket park
2
: carried in or paid from one's pocket
pocket expenses

Medical Definition

pocket

noun
pock·​et ˈpäk-ət How to pronounce pocket (audio)
: a small cavity or space
especially : an abnormal cavity formed in diseased tissue
a gingival pocket

More from Merriam-Webster on pocket

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