To save this word, you'll need to log in.
\ ˈpik 
\
\picked; picking; picks
Definition of pick
(Entry 1 of 5)
1 : to pierce, penetrate, or break up with a pointed instrument
picked the hard clay
2a : to remove bit by bit
pick meat from bones
b : to remove covering or adhering matter from
pick the bones
3a : to gather by plucking
pick apples
c : to make (one's way) slowly and carefully
picked his way through the rubble
b : to obtain useful information from by questioning
—used in such phrases as pick the brains of
5 : provoke pick a quarrel
6a : to dig into : probe picking his teeth
b : to pluck (a stringed instrument, such as a guitar) with a pick or with the fingers
c : to loosen or pull apart with a sharp point
pick wool
7 : to unlock with a device (such as a wire) other than the key
pick a lock
1 : to use or work with a pick
2 : to gather or harvest something by plucking
3 : pilfer —used in the phrase picking and stealing
4 : to eat sparingly or mincingly
picking listlessly at his dinner
pick and choose pick at pick on
: to select with care and deliberation
: to criticize repeatedly especially for minor faults : nag
: to single out for criticism, teasing, or bullying
picked on smaller boys also : to single out for a particular purpose or for special attention
pick
noun (1)Definition of pick (Entry 2 of 5)
1 : a blow or stroke with a pointed instrument
2a : the act or privilege of choosing or selecting : choice take your pick
b : the best or choicest one
the pick of the herd
c : one that is picked his pick for vice president
3 : the portion of a crop gathered at one time
the first pick of peaches
4 : a screen in basketball
5 football : an intercepted forward pass : interception … McNabb had his worst game of the year. He threw two picks, fumbled twice, got sacked seven times.— Paul Zimmerman
pick
noun (2)Definition of pick (Entry 3 of 5)
1 : a heavy, usually long-handled iron or steel tool pointed at one or both ends — compare mattock
2a : toothpick
b : picklock
c : a small thin piece (as of plastic or metal) used to pluck the strings of a stringed instrument
3 : one of the points on the forepart of the blade of a skate used in figure skating
4 : a comb with long widely spaced teeth used to give height to a hairstyle
pick
verb (2)picked; picking; picks
Definition of pick (Entry 4 of 5)
2 : to throw (a shuttle) across the loom
pick
noun (3)Definition of pick (Entry 5 of 5)
1 dialectal, England
a : the act of pitching or throwing
b : something thrown
2a : a throw of the shuttle
b : a filling thread
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for pick
pick
verb\ ˈpik \
\picked; picking
Kids Definition of pick
(Entry 1 of 2)
1 : to gather one by one
Pick your own strawberries.
2 : to remove bit by bit
I picked the pepperoni off my pizza.
3 : to remove unwanted material from between or inside
He picked his teeth.
4 : choose sense 1, select Pick a card.
5 : to walk along slowly and carefully
Picking our way through debris, we crossed the tracks …— Richard Peck, A Year Down Yonder
6 : to eat sparingly or in a finicky manner
She picked at her dinner.
7 : to steal from
pick a pocket
8 : to start (a fight) with someone deliberately
9 : to pluck with the fingers or with a pick
pick a banjo
10 : to unlock without a key
pick a lock
pick on pick up
: to single out for mean treatment
1 : to take hold of and lift
She picked the book up.
2 : to clean up : tidy Pick up your room.
3 : to stop for and take along
The bus picked up passengers.
4 : learn sense 1 Readers often pick up new words from their reading.
5 : to get without great effort or by chance
He picked up a bad habit.
6 : to get by buying
pick up a bargain
7 : to begin again after a temporary stop
Let's pick up our discussion tomorrow.
8 : to bring within range of hearing
My radio picks up foreign broadcasts.
9 : to gain or get back speed or strength
The wind is picking up.
pick
nounKids Definition of pick (Entry 2 of 2)
1 : a heavy tool with a wooden handle and a blade pointed at one or both ends for loosening or breaking up soil or rock
2 : a slender pointed instrument
ice pick
3 : a thin piece of metal or plastic used to pluck the strings of a musical instrument
4 : the act or opportunity of choosing
I had my pick of flavors.
5 : choice entry 1 sense 3 Who's your pick to win?
6 : the best ones
the pick of the crop
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on pick
What made you want to look up pick? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Name that Thing: Flower Edition
- Name that flower
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Share pick
Time Traveler for pick
The first known use of pick was in the 14th century
See more words from the same century