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

Noun

• bed of roses
• utopia
• relaxation
• the lap of luxury
• paradise
• easy street
• fun and games
• heaven
• life of Riley
• hog heaven

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

Attendees are encouraged to bring a picnic dinner and a blanket or chairs to watch the show, according to a news release. —Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 14 July 2025

Their walk led them to a pretty picnic complete with champagne. —Breanne L. Heldman, People.com, 14 July 2025

Verb

The green space is cris crossed by trails and nature paths along with areas to picnic. —Jeffrey Steele, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025

Those looking to unwind can enjoy sunbathing or picnicking on the beach, with several shaded areas providing ideal spots for relaxation. —Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 11 June 2025

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