\ ˈpik 
\
\picked; picking; picks
Definition of pick
(Entry 1 of 5)
1 : to pierce, penetrate, or break up with a pointed instrument
picked the hard clay
2a : to remove bit by bit
pick meat from bones
b : to remove covering or adhering matter from
pick the bones
3a : to gather by plucking
pick apples
c : to make (one's way) slowly and carefully
picked his way through the rubble
b : to obtain useful information from by questioning
—used in such phrases as pick the brains of
5 : provoke pick a quarrel
6a : to dig into : probe picking his teeth
b : to pluck (a stringed instrument, such as a guitar) with a pick or with the fingers
c : to loosen or pull apart with a sharp point
pick wool
7 : to unlock with a device (such as a wire) other than the key
pick a lock
1 : to use or work with a pick
2 : to gather or harvest something by plucking
3 : pilfer —used in the phrase picking and stealing
4 : to eat sparingly or mincingly
picking listlessly at his dinner
pick and choose pick at pick on
: to select with care and deliberation
: to criticize repeatedly especially for minor faults : nag
: to single out for criticism, teasing, or bullying
picked on smaller boys also : to single out for a particular purpose or for special attention
pick
noun (1)Definition of pick (Entry 2 of 5)
1 : a blow or stroke with a pointed instrument
2a : the act or privilege of choosing or selecting : choice take your pick
b : the best or choicest one
the pick of the herd
c : one that is picked his pick for vice president
3 : the portion of a crop gathered at one time
the first pick of peaches
4 : a screen in basketball
5 football : an intercepted forward pass : interception … McNabb had his worst game of the year. He threw two picks, fumbled twice, got sacked seven times.— Paul Zimmerman
pick
noun (2)Definition of pick (Entry 3 of 5)
1 : a heavy, usually long-handled iron or steel tool pointed at one or both ends — compare mattock
2a : toothpick
b : picklock
c : a small thin piece (as of plastic or metal) used to pluck the strings of a stringed instrument
3 : one of the points on the forepart of the blade of a skate used in figure skating
4 : a comb with long widely spaced teeth used to give height to a hairstyle
pick
verb (2)picked; picking; picks
Definition of pick (Entry 4 of 5)
2 : to throw (a shuttle) across the loom
pick
noun (3)Definition of pick (Entry 5 of 5)
1 dialectal, England
a : the act of pitching or throwing
b : something thrown
2a : a throw of the shuttle
b : a filling thread
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More Definitions for pick
pick
verb\ ˈpik \
\picked; picking
Kids Definition of pick
(Entry 1 of 2)
1 : to gather one by one
Pick your own strawberries.
2 : to remove bit by bit
I picked the pepperoni off my pizza.
3 : to remove unwanted material from between or inside
He picked his teeth.
4 : choose sense 1, select Pick a card.
5 : to walk along slowly and carefully
Picking our way through debris, we crossed the tracks …— Richard Peck, A Year Down Yonder
6 : to eat sparingly or in a finicky manner
She picked at her dinner.
7 : to steal from
pick a pocket
8 : to start (a fight) with someone deliberately
9 : to pluck with the fingers or with a pick
pick a banjo
10 : to unlock without a key
pick a lock
pick on pick up
: to single out for mean treatment
1 : to take hold of and lift
She picked the book up.
2 : to clean up : tidy Pick up your room.
3 : to stop for and take along
The bus picked up passengers.
4 : learn sense 1 Readers often pick up new words from their reading.
5 : to get without great effort or by chance
He picked up a bad habit.
6 : to get by buying
pick up a bargain
7 : to begin again after a temporary stop
Let's pick up our discussion tomorrow.
8 : to bring within range of hearing
My radio picks up foreign broadcasts.
9 : to gain or get back speed or strength
The wind is picking up.
pick
nounKids Definition of pick (Entry 2 of 2)
1 : a heavy tool with a wooden handle and a blade pointed at one or both ends for loosening or breaking up soil or rock
2 : a slender pointed instrument
ice pick
3 : a thin piece of metal or plastic used to pluck the strings of a musical instrument
4 : the act or opportunity of choosing
I had my pick of flavors.
5 : choice entry 1 sense 3 Who's your pick to win?
6 : the best ones
the pick of the crop
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Time Traveler for pick
The first known use of pick was in the 14th century
See more words from the same century