picnic

1 of 2

noun

pic·​nic ˈpik-(ˌ)nik 

often attributive

1

: an excursion or outing with food usually provided by members of the group and eaten in the open

also : the food provided for a picnic

2

a

: a pleasant or amusingly carefree experience

I don't expect being married to be a picnic

—Josephine Pinckney

b

: an easy task or feat

3

: a shoulder of pork with much of the butt removed

picnicky

ˈpik-(ˌ)ni-kē 

adjective

picnic

2 of 2

verb

picnicked; picnicking

intransitive verb

: to go on a picnic : eat in picnic fashion

picnicker noun

Synonyms of picnic

Noun

• bed of roses
• paradise
• rest
• utopia
• fun and games
• the lap of luxury
• life of Riley

Examples of picnic in a Sentence

Noun

We decided to have a picnic on the beach.

We ate our picnic by the lake.

The annual school picnic is this weekend.

This winter is a picnic compared with last year's.

Verb

We picnicked in the park.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Lerner said a splash pad was added along with a dog park, a picnic shelter, a basketball hoop with room for half-court games and a walking path seven-tenths of a mile around — the longest in any of the city’s parks. —Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026

Great for outdoor concerts, picnics, and beach getaways alike, this essential deserves a spot in your 2026 summer packing list. —Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 13 May 2026

Verb

Those looking to unwind can enjoy sunbathing or picnicking on the beach. —Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 12 May 2026

The fort's expansive lawn is tailor-made for picnicking and flying kites. —Dave Parfitt, USA Today, 9 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

German or French; German Picknick, from French pique-nique

First Known Use

Noun

1826, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1815, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing picnic

• picnic table

Rhymes for picnic

• broomstick
• dipstick
• homesick
• joystick
• lipstick
• nonstick
• pickwick
• redbrick
• seasick
• sidekick
• slapstick
• toothpick

Kids Definition

picnic

1 of 2 noun

pic·​nic ˈpik-(ˌ)nik 

1

: a meal eaten outdoors often during a trip away from home

2

a

: a pleasant or carefree experience

breaking a leg is no picnic

b

: an easy task

3

: a shoulder of pork that is often smoked and boned

picnicky adjective

picnic

2 of 2 verb

picnicked; picnicking

: to go on a picnic : eat as if on a picnic

picnicker noun