peck

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈpek 

1

: a unit of capacity equal to ¹/₄ bushel see Weights and Measures Table

2

: a large quantity or number

peck

2 of 3

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

peck

3 of 3

noun (2)

1

: an impression or hole made by pecking

2

: a quick sharp stroke

3

: a quick light kiss

a peck on the cheek

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• loads
• ton
• plenty
• dozen
• chunk
• slew
• deal
• pile
• bunch
• quantity
• lot
• bushel
• wealth

Verb

• nibble

Examples of peck in a Sentence

Noun (1)

now you're in a peck of trouble

Verb

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

Noun

Miami dialed back the team’s spending with the exception of offensive guard James Daniels, who spent all of three snaps on the field before suffering a peck injury that will keep him sidelined till maybe midseason. —Omar Kelly updated October 6, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2025

Tickets include a hayride to the orchard and a half peck bag to fill with juicy apples. —Lorenza Medley, Charlotte Observer, 2 Sep. 2025

Verb

Eagly summons an entire aerie of allies to peck and slash Red to death, which feels like an appropriately grisly fate. —Scott Meslow, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2025

The two teams faced off again on Sunday, and once again, the Birds pecked Kansas City, this time in a three-point victory. —Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English pek, from Anglo-French

Verb

Middle English, perhaps from Middle Low German pekken

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

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

Noun (2)

circa 1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Noun

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

Verb

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