pickup

noun pick·up \ ˈpik-ˌəp \

|Updated on: 16 Jul 2018

Examples: pickup in a Sentence

Definition of pickup

1 : one that is picked up: such as

a : a hitchhiker who is given a ride

b : a temporary chance acquaintance

c : a player acquired from another team

2 : the act or process of picking up: such as

a : a revival of business activity

b : acceleration

c : the act or technique of making the acquaintance of a previously unknown person especially for amorous purposes

3 : the conversion of mechanical movements into electrical impulses in the reproduction of sound; also : a device (as on an electric guitar) for making such conversion

4 a : the reception of sound or an image into a radio or television transmitting apparatus for conversion into electrical signals

b : a device (such as a microphone or a television camera) for converting sound or the image of a scene into electrical signals

5 : a light truck having an enclosed cab and an open body with low sides and tailgate — called also pickup truck

6 : a pickup game

playing pickup

See pickup defined for English-language learners

See pickup defined for kids

Examples of pickup in a Sentence

The fee pays for garbage pickup.
The school bus was late for its afternoon pickup.
The truck is scheduled to make a pickup today.

Recent Examples of pickup from the Web

To reduce mosquito numbers, the state program sprays a pesticide known as permethrin from the back of a pickup truck or, on the Eastern Shore, from the air.

— scott dance, baltimoresun.com, "Dealing with more bug bites than usual? Mosquitos are at 3 times their normal number in Maryland this summer.," 5 July 2018
In 2002, The Star interviewed the men who had lodged the complaints in Kansas City and reported that the diocese had helped one of them buy a pickup truck and paid for his counseling.

— judy l. thomas, kansascity, "Could former KC priest, 86, still face charges? Yes, but 'there is an issue of time'," 3 July 2018
Ahead of the midterm election, and with Senate control at stake, Republicans are eyeing Heitkamp’s seat as a top pickup opportunity.

— Washington Post, "Trump tour heads to North Dakota with Senate seat at stake," 29 June 2018
Republicans see Heitkamp's seat as a key pickup opportunity in their battle to keep the Senate in GOP hands.

— samuel chamberlain, Fox News, "Trump rallies for GOP Senate candidate Kevin Cramer in North Dakota," 27 June 2018
More immediately, Minnesota features four of the nation’s most competitive House districts, including what may be the two best pickup opportunities for a Republican Party that is generally playing defense across the country.

— NBC News, "Trump defends immigration decision at Minnesota rally," 21 June 2018
The race is a top pickup opportunity for Republicans, who are trying to hold onto a narrow 51-to-49 Senate advantage.

— sean sullivan, Anchorage Daily News, "Sanford falters in South Carolina after critical tweet from Trump," 13 June 2018
In Virginia, Democrats see Virginia’s 10th Congressional District as a top pickup opportunity in November.

— eliza collins, USA TODAY, "Will Trump kill Mark Sanford's re-election? And other questions for tonight's primaries," 12 June 2018
That could allow Republicans to maintain control of the Senate given that Democrats need to pick up a net gain of two seats and there are very few Senate pickup opportunities for Democrats in 2018.

— harry enten, CNN, "Senate races in swing states like Virginia make it clear: This is a Democratic year," 12 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pickup.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of pickup

1848

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Other Audio Recording Terms

baffle, dub, fidelity, transcription, treble

pickup

adjective

Definition of pickup

: utilizing or comprising local or available personnel especially without formal organization

a pickup basketball game

a pickup band

See pickup defined for English-language learners

Examples of pickup in a Sentence

He plays with pickup bands at nightclubs.
What's the pickup scene like in this city?

Recent Examples of pickup from the Web

In the auto industry's intense pickup truck wars, competition is fierce.

— david brinkerhoff, USA TODAY, "Chevrolet, Ram pickup trucks could capitalize on Ford F-150 production shutdown," 9 May 2018
On weekends, his father took him to play in pickup basketball games on the base.

— alexandra wolfe, WSJ, "Ray Allen’s Life After the NBA," 9 Mar. 2018
When the man stopped, one of the juveniles pulled out a gun and fired several shots that hit the man’s pickup truck, officials said.

— megan jones, Aurora Beacon-News, "Aurora driver says he was shot at after waving at young pedestrians to cross street," 6 June 2018
But the Maryland Democrat cited concerns about California’s jungle primary system, even while highlighting the state among those with pickup opportunities for Democrats.

— nicole gaudiano, USA TODAY, "Rep. Steny Hoyer predicts Democrats likely to pick up 50 seats in midterms," 27 Apr. 2018
Customers must have trash out before 7:00 a.m. on pickup day.

— karen huppertz, ajc, "Dacula updates sanitation ordinance, expanding service to 3 days/week," 3 Apr. 2018
But pickup performance scores on carpet and on bare floors with obstacles were poor.

— the good housekeeping institute, Good Housekeeping, "Pursonic i7 Pro Multifunction Vacuum," 14 Aug. 2015
Expect greater payloads and tow ratings, adding more to what’s already too much capability for most pickup buyers.

— clifford atiyeh, Car and Driver, "2019 GMC Sierra 1500 Spied: Making the Grade," 5 Feb. 2018
Hillary Clinton in 2016 won both of the districts that are considered pickup opportunities in the Democrats’ quest to retake control of the U.S. House.

— sarah d. wire, latimes.com, "These are the candidates running against vulnerable congressional Republicans in the Central Valley," 10 Mar. 2018

First Known Use of pickup

1898

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

pick up

verb

Definition of pick up

transitive verb

1 a : to take hold of and lift up

b : to gather together : collect

picked up all the pieces

c : to clean up : tidy

2 : to take (passengers or freight) into a vehicle

3 a : to acquire casually or by chance

picked up a valuable antique at an auction

b : to acquire by study or experience : learn

picking up a great deal of knowledge in the process
—Robert Schleicher

c : to obtain especially by payment : buy

picked up some groceries

d : to acquire (a player) especially from another team through a trade or by financial recompense

e : to accept for the purpose of paying

offered to pick up the tab

f : to come down with : catch

picked up a cold

g : gain, earn

picked up a few yards on the last play

picked up her first victory

4 a : to enter informally into conversation or companionship with (a previously unknown person)

had a brief affair with a girl he picked up in a bar

b : to take into custody

the police picked up the fugitive

5 a : to catch sight of : perceive

picked up the harbor lights

b : to come to and follow

picked up the outlaw's trail

c : to bring within range of sight or hearing

pick up distant radio signals

d : understand, catch

didn't pick up the hint

6 a : revive

b : increase

7 : to resume after a break : continue

pick up the discussion tomorrow

8 : to assume responsibility for guarding (an opponent) in an athletic contest

intransitive verb

1 : to recover or increase speed, vigor, or activity : improve

after the strike, business picked up

the wind began to pick up

2 : to put things in order

was always picking up after her

3 : to pack up one's belongings

couldn't just pick up and leave

— pick up on

1 a : understand, appreciate

b : to become aware of : notice

2 : to adopt as one's own : take up

See pick up defined for kids

Examples of pick up in a Sentence

he has a knack for picking up a language in a few weeks
pick up all of your things because we have to be off this beach before dark

Recent Examples of pick up from the Web

Craig grew up playing sand volleyball in Imperial Beach and picked up OTL as another way to pass hours along the water.

— don norcross, sandiegouniontribune.com, "San Diego couple puts it all on the line for Over-The-Line," 13 July 2018
For more on the greed, lust and secrets in Maurizio Gucci’s family, subscribe now to PEOPLE or pick up this week’s issue, on newsstands now.

— adam carlson, PEOPLE.com, "Decades After Hit Man Killed Gucci Mogul, the Ex-Wife Convicted of His Murder Speaks Out," 13 July 2018
If Markle wears Aritzia, or picks up another mid-market label as a favorite brand, on a routine basis, that could give the prophecy of the Meghan Effect more solid ground.

— rachel king, Fortune, "Meghan Markle Is Being Credited With Boosting Aritzia's Earnings. But Is the 'Meghan Effect' Real?," 13 July 2018
In this musical comedy, a finance bro falls off the corporate ladder and picks up his high school guitar.

— alexis soloski, New York Times, "12 Plays and Musicals to Go to in N.Y.C. This Weekend," 12 July 2018
Smaller items that are 50 pounds or less, or that one person could pick up and put on a truck, such as chairs or desks, can be put out at three to five items per pickup.

— david anderson, The Aegis, "Aberdeen council adopts new trash pickup ordinance," 12 July 2018
To read more on Doctor Who and get a preview of Comic-Con 2018, pick up the new issue of Entertainment Weekly on stands Friday, or buy it here now.

— clark collis, EW.com, "Doctor Who star Jodie Whittaker is simply 'brilliant' on the cover of EW's Comic-Con preview issue," 12 July 2018
Along the way, he's met a handful of celebrities — George Clooney, Adam Sandler, Jay Leno and others — and picked up a few acting gigs.

— elena weissmann, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Meet Kenosha's Jamie 'Can Head' Keeton, the human suction cup," 12 July 2018
Bregman took off for first, but Lucroy calmly picked up the ball and ... threw it past first base, allowing the winning run to score.

— pete grathoff, kansascity, "‘How do you lose a game on that?’ The Astros had one of weirdest walk-off wins ever," 11 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pick up.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of pick up

14th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

pick up Synonyms

Phrases

get together;

PICKUP Defined for English Language Learners

pickup

noun

Definition of pickup for English Language Learners

: a small truck that has an open back with low sides
: the act of going somewhere to get a person or thing that you will then take to another place
: an increase in activity

pickup

adjective

Definition of pickup for English Language Learners

: organized informally with people who are available or nearby at the time
: of or relating to the act of trying to meet strangers in order to have brief sexual relationships with them