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

The 2026 second-round pick out of Louisville converted his first three 3-point attempts, at a stage the rest of his teammates were 4 of 14 from beyond the arc. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 6 Nov. 2026

The steps and skills required to adequately shop for groceries or pick out the right kindergarten for a child are broad and vague. — Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2026

Doing so enhances the slight color differences in these rocks, allowing researchers to pick out the different minerals. — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 2 Nov. 2026

OutKick predicted it days after Flagg became the first overall pick out of Duke last season. — Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 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