peck

verb

pecked; pecking; pecks

transitive verb

1

a

: to strike or pierce especially repeatedly with the bill or a pointed tool

b

: to make by pecking

peck a hole

2

: to pick up with the bill

intransitive verb

1

a

: to strike, pierce, or pick up something with or as if with the bill

b

: carp, nag

2

: to eat reluctantly and in small bites

peck at food

Synonyms of peck

• nibble

Examples of peck in a Sentence

The hen pecked my finger.

The woodpecker pecked a hole in the tree.

He pecked his wife on the cheek as he headed out the door.

Recent Examples on the Web

There Are No Foolproof Methods No single technique will completely prevent birds from pecking on your fruits. —Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 24 May 2026

Nyjer thistle seeds are also very small, and many birds will love pecking them off the sides or roof of your edible birdhouse. —Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 May 2026

Don’t just hunt and peck here and there. —Charles Moss, SPIN, 18 May 2026

Deborah pecks her before reluctantly giving in to more passionate smooches. —Erin Jensen, USA Today, 8 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, perhaps from Middle Low German pekken

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing peck

• hunt-and-peck
• peck at
• peck order

Rhymes for peck

• beck
• breck
• check
• cheque
• czech
• deck
• fleck
• keck
• mech
• neck
• reck
• sec

Kids Definition

peck

1 of 3 noun

ˈpek 

1

: a unit of capacity equal to ¼ bushel see measure

2

: a large quantity

a peck of trouble

peck

2 of 3 verb

1

a

: to strike with the bill : thrust the beak into

b

: to make by pecking

peck holes

2

: to strike with a sharp instrument (as a pick)

3

: to pick up with the bill

a chicken pecking corn

4

: to bite daintily : nibble

peck at one's food

peck

3 of 3 noun

1

: a mark or hole made by pecking

2

: a quick sharp stroke

Etymology

Middle English pek "unit of measure," from early French pek (same meaning)

Middle English pecken "to strike or pierce repeatedly," perhaps from early German pekken (same meaning)