pickings

plural noun

pick·​ings ˈpi-kiŋz  -kənz 

: something that is picked or picked up: such as

a

: gleanable or eatable fragments : scraps

b

: yield or return for effort expended

easy pickings

slim pickings

Examples of pickings in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The pickings are slimmer here, with nine Wolverines making the NFL in the kicking game — three punters and six kickers, though Jake Moody and Brad Robbins should increase both totals in 2023. —Ryan Ford, Detroit Free Press, 6 Feb. 2023

On offense, especially at the skill positions, free agency was mostly slim pickings. —Ben Volin, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Apr. 2022

But those many decades living without predators ruined their flight response, and the horses became easy pickings for mountain lions and other predators. —Ryan Fonsecastaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 28 Nov. 2022

Gardens and parks are easy pickings for rats: verdant spaces with fencing that’s easy to squeeze through or nonexistent. —Joe Fox, Washington Post, 28 Oct. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1642, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing pickings

• easy pickings
• slim pickings

Kids Definition

pickings

plural noun

pick·​ings ˈpik-iŋz 

1

: something available or left over

especially : eatable remains

2

: yield or return for the effort put forth

easy pickings

slim pickings