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
: a fruitless or mistaken course or direction
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
see also:
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
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
Recent Examples on the Web
Christopher Rowland The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 21 Mar. 2026
Hyacinthe had a pocket knife on her, as well as a key fob reprogrammer, which would allow the thieves to turn on the vehicle’s engine.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 21 Mar. 2026
Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 21 Mar. 2026
As Wamhoff observed, there’s a certain amount of superficial logic underlying the argument that inflation in effect raises the tax rate charged on capital gains — the profits investors pocket from increases in the value of their stocks and bonds over time.
—Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025
Built with water-resistant polyester, this spacious duffel has a dedicated shoe compartment, an end pocket for wet or dirty clothes, a multi-pocket compression panel for organization, and an interior divider curtain that can be removed to hold bulky clothes or outdoor gear.
—Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 17 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pocket
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
The preponderance of patients paying out of pocket for these products is actually creating this dynamic where the companies are lowering their list price to compete for cash-paying customers.
—Christopher Rowland The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 21 Mar. 2026
Hyacinthe had a pocket knife on her, as well as a key fob reprogrammer, which would allow the thieves to turn on the vehicle’s engine.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 21 Mar. 2026
Verb
Prosecutors said the scheme resulted in about $6 million in actual losses, with 11 suspects — including an Iranian and Azerbaijani national — accused of stealing victims’ identities, taking out mortgages on their homes and pocketing the cash.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 21 Mar. 2026
As Wamhoff observed, there’s a certain amount of superficial logic underlying the argument that inflation in effect raises the tax rate charged on capital gains — the profits investors pocket from increases in the value of their stocks and bonds over time.
—Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Large clutches, like those at Bottega Veneta and Chanel, and comfortable shoulder bags like the Miu Miu multi-pocket bag, also featured.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025
Built with water-resistant polyester, this spacious duffel has a dedicated shoe compartment, an end pocket for wet or dirty clothes, a multi-pocket compression panel for organization, and an interior divider curtain that can be removed to hold bulky clothes or outdoor gear.
—Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 17 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pocket
Cite this Entry
“Pocket.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pocket. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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