1
a
: a small bag carried by a person : purse
b
: a small bag that is sewed or inserted in a garment so that it is open at the top or side
coat pocket
2
: supply of money : means
3
: receptacle, container: such as
a
: an opening at the corner or side of a billiard table
b
: a superficial pouch in some animals
4
: a small often isolated area or group
pockets of unemployment
:
a
: a cavity containing a deposit (as of gold, water, or gas)
b
5
: a place for a batten made by sewing a strip on a sail
6
a
b
: the position of a contestant in a race hemmed in by others
c
: an area formed by blockers from which a football quarterback attempts to pass
7
: the concave area at the base of the finger sections of a baseball glove or mitt in which the ball is normally caught
pocketed; pocketing; pockets
1
a
: to put or enclose in or as if in one's pocket
pocketed the change
b
: to appropriate to one's own use : steal
c
: to refuse assent to (a bill) by a pocket veto
2
: to put up with : accept
3
: to set aside : suppress
pocketed his pride
4
a
: to hem in
b
: to drive (a ball) into a pocket of a pool table
5
: to cover or supply with pockets
Synonyms
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Examples of pocket in a Sentence
Noun
He keeps his gloves in his coat pocket.
She was standing there with her hands in her pockets.
I have a hole in my pocket.
Her pocket was full of change.
There are pockets on the back of each car seat.
a zippered pocket on the front of a suitcase
Verb
The chairman was fired for pocketing funds.
The saleswoman had overcharged them and pocketed the difference.
a professional golfer who pocketed more than four million dollars in winnings
I had to pocket my pride and ask for some help.
Adjective
his pocket involvement in the company was minimal
See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Hayley Tillett, The New Yorker, 24 Sep. 2023
This one-and-done set includes an oversized hoodie sweatshirt with a kangaroo pocket as well as jogger sweatpants with a drawstring waist.
—Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 23 Sep. 2023
The charging case is small enough to slip into the change pocket of your jeans.
—Nick Guy, wsj.com, 22 Sep. 2023
There’s a six-bottle backpack, a six-bottle tote and a four-bottle carrier, all of which have extra pockets to accommodate laptops and other items.
—Florence Fabricant, New York Times, 20 Sep. 2023
This allows for the chocolate to meld into the muffin better than chips, while also keeping some soft, melty chocolate pockets.
—America's Test Kitchen, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2023
At the same time, an approaching shortwave, or high-altitude pocket of cold air, low pressure and spin nestled within a weak dip in the jet stream, will swing out of the northwest and slip over the surface low.
—Matthew Cappucci, Washington Post, 19 Sep. 2023
When kept clean in the pocket, rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud looks like the real deal, making some impressive throws over the middle to finish with 384 yards and 2 TDs.
—C.j. Doon, Baltimore Sun, 19 Sep. 2023
The pocket can’t collapse, but people have to get open.
—Nick Alvarez | Nalvarez@al.com, al, 13 Sep. 2023
Liz McNeil, Peoplemag, 12 Sep. 2023
Beyond that threshold, creators can expect to pocket up to 80% of their earnings.
—Kylie Robison, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2023
The Hawkeyes scored 24 in its win over Utah State.
$1.95 million: Payday pocketed by UMass for playing Auburn.
—Scooby Axson, USA TODAY, 3 Sep. 2023
The complaint is one of several Covid-19 fraud cases detailed on Wednesday by the Justice Department, which has been cracking down on businesses and individuals who inappropriately pocketed federal relief aid.
—Madeleine Ngo, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2023
Hers is an imagination always on the lookout for an eccentric thought, or a novelty to be pocketed away for later use.
—Neil McRobert, ELLE, 12 Aug. 2023
Instead of passing on the subsidies to the tenants, 10X Wellington Club pocketed the public money provided by the county and claimed subsidies for vacant properties in the building as well.
—Josh Gabert-Doyon, The New Republic, 29 Aug. 2023
Stores buy bags for about 5 cents each, and sell them for at least double that, pocketing the profits.
—Jessica Roy, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2023
Water resistant Pros Ultralight Breathable Wind and water resistant
Cons
Not effective against harsh weather
No hip pockets
This windbreaker is the best lightweight hiking jacket and a great choice for an emergency hiking shell, or a solution for trail runners looking for the lightest option.
—Lindsey Lapointe, Field & Stream, 3 Aug. 2023
Hollyanna McCollom, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Mar. 2023
No multi-pocket backpacks or bags.
—Britt Julious, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2022
The anti-pocket prejudice in women’s clothing runs deep.
—Amanda Foreman, WSJ, 29 Sep. 2022
On its e-commerce site this June, Banana Republic launched the BR Vintage collection: 225 items from the company’s safari-style past, including khaki shirts, lengthy suede jackets and multi-pocket photojournalist vests.
—Jacob Gallagher, WSJ, 7 Sep. 2021
My favorite and most-used is the Patagonia Baggies Brimmer ($50), which looks like a safari hat and should probably be matched with one of those tan, multi-pocket vests.
—Jakob Schiller, Outside Online, 1 June 2021
The women’s ready-to-wear blends utilitarian and sporty aesthetics, with multi-pocket skirts, gym sets and transformable jackets all dripping in the new logo.
—Isabel Lord, Forbes, 13 May 2021
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Noun
Sweatshirt pockets now count as bags and are subject to the size limit.
—Hayley Tillett, The New Yorker, 24 Sep. 2023
This one-and-done set includes an oversized hoodie sweatshirt with a kangaroo pocket as well as jogger sweatpants with a drawstring waist.
—Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 23 Sep. 2023
The charging case is small enough to slip into the change pocket of your jeans.
—Nick Guy, wsj.com, 22 Sep. 2023
There’s a six-bottle backpack, a six-bottle tote and a four-bottle carrier, all of which have extra pockets to accommodate laptops and other items.
—Florence Fabricant, New York Times, 20 Sep. 2023
This allows for the chocolate to meld into the muffin better than chips, while also keeping some soft, melty chocolate pockets.
—America's Test Kitchen, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2023
At the same time, an approaching shortwave, or high-altitude pocket of cold air, low pressure and spin nestled within a weak dip in the jet stream, will swing out of the northwest and slip over the surface low.
—Matthew Cappucci, Washington Post, 19 Sep. 2023
When kept clean in the pocket, rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud looks like the real deal, making some impressive throws over the middle to finish with 384 yards and 2 TDs.
—C.j. Doon, Baltimore Sun, 19 Sep. 2023
The pocket can’t collapse, but people have to get open.
—Nick Alvarez | Nalvarez@al.com, al, 13 Sep. 2023
Verb
The existence of a bullet — one found behind Jackie Kennedy and pocketed by Landis before being placed on Kennedy's hospital gurney — would also raise another possibility debated in conspiracy circles for decades: the potential of a second shooter.
—Liz McNeil, Peoplemag, 12 Sep. 2023
Beyond that threshold, creators can expect to pocket up to 80% of their earnings.
—Kylie Robison, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2023
The Hawkeyes scored 24 in its win over Utah State.
$1.95 million: Payday pocketed by UMass for playing Auburn.
—Scooby Axson, USA TODAY, 3 Sep. 2023
The complaint is one of several Covid-19 fraud cases detailed on Wednesday by the Justice Department, which has been cracking down on businesses and individuals who inappropriately pocketed federal relief aid.
—Madeleine Ngo, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2023
Hers is an imagination always on the lookout for an eccentric thought, or a novelty to be pocketed away for later use.
—Neil McRobert, ELLE, 12 Aug. 2023
Instead of passing on the subsidies to the tenants, 10X Wellington Club pocketed the public money provided by the county and claimed subsidies for vacant properties in the building as well.
—Josh Gabert-Doyon, The New Republic, 29 Aug. 2023
Stores buy bags for about 5 cents each, and sell them for at least double that, pocketing the profits.
—Jessica Roy, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2023
Water resistant Pros Ultralight Breathable Wind and water resistant
Cons
Not effective against harsh weather
No hip pockets
This windbreaker is the best lightweight hiking jacket and a great choice for an emergency hiking shell, or a solution for trail runners looking for the lightest option.
—Lindsey Lapointe, Field & Stream, 3 Aug. 2023
Adjective
The Vault by Vans x Nicole McLaughlin Collection includes special-edition versions of the iconic Vans Slip-On VP VR3 LX with adaptations—think canvas pockets and easy-carry heel straps—inspired by a classic multi-pocket garden tote and workwear bucket bag often used on construction job sites.
—Hollyanna McCollom, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Mar. 2023
No multi-pocket backpacks or bags.
—Britt Julious, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2022
The anti-pocket prejudice in women’s clothing runs deep.
—Amanda Foreman, WSJ, 29 Sep. 2022
On its e-commerce site this June, Banana Republic launched the BR Vintage collection: 225 items from the company’s safari-style past, including khaki shirts, lengthy suede jackets and multi-pocket photojournalist vests.
—Jacob Gallagher, WSJ, 7 Sep. 2021
My favorite and most-used is the Patagonia Baggies Brimmer ($50), which looks like a safari hat and should probably be matched with one of those tan, multi-pocket vests.
—Jakob Schiller, Outside Online, 1 June 2021
The women’s ready-to-wear blends utilitarian and sporty aesthetics, with multi-pocket skirts, gym sets and transformable jackets all dripping in the new logo.
—Isabel Lord, Forbes, 13 May 2021
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pocket.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English poket, from Anglo-French poket, pochete, diminutive of poke, pouche bag — more at pouch
First Known Use
Noun
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
1588, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Adjective
1576, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of pocket was
in the 15th century
Phrases Containing pocket
Dictionary Entries Near pocket
Cite this Entry
“Pocket.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pocket. Accessed 3 Oct. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
pock·et
ˈpäk-ət 
1
a
: to put or enclose in a pocket
pocketed the change
b
: to take for one's own use especially dishonestly
pocket the profits
2
: to set aside : suppress
pocketed my anger
3
: to supply with pockets
1
a
: small enough to fit in the pocket
b
: smaller than the usual size
a pocket park
2
: carried in or paid from one's pocket
pocket expenses
Medical Definition
pock·et
ˈpäk-ət
: a small cavity or space
especially
: an abnormal cavity formed in diseased tissue
a gingival pocket
More from Merriam-Webster on pocket
Nglish: Translation of pocket for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of pocket for Arabic Speakers
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