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

Pam Dunnett reported that nearly 300 children and their families from across California came out on Mother’s Day to enjoy amusement park rides, a picnic lunch, face painting, an obstacle course, balloon toss, arts and crafts, family portraits and photos with local figures. —Debby Rice, Mercury News, 27 May 2026

With Cake Picnic, we are forced to bake a cake for a random weekend (no cake, no entry), pack a picnic basket and head to the park to spend a day outside. —Kate Bradshaw, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2026

Verb

Cinespia’s DJs will spin lively, themed sets before and after every screening, while guests are welcome to picnic on the lawn with blankets and enjoy a free photo booth, concession stands, and beer and wine throughout the evening. —Arushi Jacob, Variety, 1 June 2026

Their days are spent swimming in the lake, picnicking by the beach and debating poetry and literature. —Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 16 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