pick out

verb

picked out; picking out; picks out

transitive verb

1

: discern, make out

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

Brees, a second-round pick out of Purdue University in the 2001 NFL Draft, began his career with the San Diego Chargers and spent five years with the team. — Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026

At Educational Outfitters in Sandy Springs, parents and children picked out uniforms and accessories. — La'tasha Givens, CBS News, 30 July 2026

Families lined up in the 95-degree heat to pick out backpacks, all of which were stocked with pencils, paper and other school supplies. — Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 30 July 2026

Allen, the Colts’ second-round pick out of Georgia, is projected to be a starter. — James Boyd, New York Times, 28 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1540, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for pick out

• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• devout
• dropout

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