pick

play

verb \ˈpik\

Definition of pick

transitive verb
1 : to pierce, penetrate, or break up with a pointed instrument picked the hard clay
2a : to remove bit by bit pick meat from bonesb : to remove covering or adhering matter from pick the bones
3a : to gather by plucking pick applesb : choose, select tried to pick the shortest routec : to make (one's way) slowly and carefully picked his way through the rubble
4a : pilfer, rob pick pocketsb : 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 teethb : to pluck (a stringed instrument, such as a guitar) with a pick or with the fingersc : 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

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First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

pick

noun

Definition of pick

1 : a blow or stroke with a pointed instrument
2a : the act or privilege of choosing or selecting : choice take your pickb : the best or choicest one the pick of the herdc : 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

pick

noun

Definition of pick

1 : a heavy wooden-handled iron or steel tool pointed at one or both ends — compare mattock
2a : toothpickb : picklockc : 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

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

See Words from the same year

pick

noun

Definition of pick

1 dialectal, England a : the act of pitching or throwingb : something thrown
2a : a throw of the shuttleb : a filling thread

First Known Use of pick

1627

PICK Defined for Kids

pick

play

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

play

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