pick out

verb

picked out; picking out; picks out

transitive verb

1
2
: to play the notes of by ear or one by one
picking out tunes on the piano

Examples of pick out in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Still, every team can probably pick out at least one year and be concerned. Seth Emerson, New York Times, 23 Sep. 2025 Beal, a fifth-round draft pick out of Georgia in 2023, has played sparingly with one sack in 18 games. Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 22 Sep. 2025 Monica Wexle was looking forward to getting her hair up and off her face, picking out bright purple and pink braids to match her own purple hair. Kathryn Gregory, Louisville Courier Journal, 20 Sep. 2025 Around 140 residents remain in Dosker Manor, Strojan said, many of whom have new units picked out and are waiting for the moving process to begin. Keely Doll, The Courier-Journal, 18 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pick out

Word History

First Known Use

1540, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pick out was in 1540

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pick out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pick%20out. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

pick out

verb
1
: to see or detect with some difficulty
picked out the trail in the snow
2
: to play the notes of by ear or one by one
pick out a tune

More from Merriam-Webster on pick out

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!