pick

verb \ ˈpik \

Definition of pick

transitive verb

1 : to pierce, penetrate, or break up with a pointed instrument

picked the hard clay

2 a : to remove bit by bit

pick meat from bones

b : to remove covering or adhering matter from

pick the bones

3 a : to gather by plucking

pick apples

b : choose, select

tried to pick the shortest route

c : to make (one's way) slowly and carefully

picked his way through the rubble

4 a : pilfer, rob

pick pockets

b : to obtain useful information from by questioning —used in such phrases as pick the brains of

5 : provoke

pick a quarrel

6 a : 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

intransitive verb

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

: to select with care and deliberation

— pick at

: to criticize repeatedly especially for minor faults : nag

— pick on

: to single out for criticism, teasing, or bullying

picked on smaller boys

; also : to single out for a particular purpose or for special attention

Origin and Etymology of pick

Middle English piken, partly from Old English *pīcian (akin to Middle Dutch picken to prick); partly from Middle French piquer to prick — more at pike

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

pick

noun

Definition of pick

1 : a blow or stroke with a pointed instrument

2 a : 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

First Known Use of pick

15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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pick

noun

Definition of pick

1 : a heavy, usually long-handled iron or steel tool pointed at one or both ends — compare mattock

2 a : 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

Illustration of pick

Origin and Etymology of pick

Middle English pik

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

pick

verb

Definition of pick

transitive verb

1 chiefly dialectal : to throw or thrust with effort : hurl

2 : to throw (a shuttle) across the loom

Origin and Etymology of pick

Middle English pykken to pitch (a tent); akin to Middle English picchen to pitch

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

pick

noun

Definition of pick

1 dialectal, England

a : the act of pitching or throwing

b : something thrown

2 a : a throw of the shuttle

b : a filling thread

First Known Use of pick

1627

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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PICK Defined for Kids

pick

verb \ ˈpik \

Definition of pick for Students

picked; picking

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 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

—

picker

noun

— pick on

: to single out for mean treatment

— pick up

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 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

noun

Definition of pick for Students

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 : ¹choice 3

Who's your pick to win?

6 : the best ones

the pick of the crop

Learn More about pick

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for pick Spanish Central: Translation of pick Nglish: Translation of pick for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of pick for Arabic speakers

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pick

Definition of pick

Origin and Etymology of pick

pick

Definition of pick

First Known Use of pick

pick

Definition of pick

Illustration of pick

Origin and Etymology of pick

pick

Definition of pick

Origin and Etymology of pick

pick

Definition of pick

First Known Use of pick

PICK Defined for Kids

pick

Definition of pick for Students

picker

pick

Definition of pick for Students

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