\ 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
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“Pick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pick. Accessed 10 Apr. 2021.
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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
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Time Traveler for pick
The first known use of pick was in the 14th century
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