wicket

noun

wick·​et ˈwi-kət 

1

: a small gate or door

especially : one forming part of or placed near a larger gate or door

2

: an opening like a window

especially : a grilled or grated window through which business is transacted

3

a

: either of the two sets of three stumps topped by two crosspieces and set 66 feet apart at which the ball is bowled in cricket

b

: an area 10 feet wide bounded by these wickets

c

: one innings of a batsman

specifically : one that is not completed or never begun

win by three wickets

4

: an arch or hoop in croquet

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

The recent Australia-West Indies Test in Perth was a prime example, where there was talk of a fast and furious pitch only for the curator to get spooked and trim the grass covering on match day resulting in a sedate wicket. —Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2022

Originating in England, cricket is similar to its American cousin baseball and features a pitcher — called a bowler — who hurls a ball at a wicket that a player on the opposing team must defend with a bat. —Ethan Ehrenhaft, Baltimore Sun, 4 Oct. 2022

Military walked onto the field of play at the Oval in south London to form a guard of honor, through which the teams walked and lined up either side of the wicket. —Steve Douglas, ajc, 10 Sep. 2022

From his first try as a wicket keeper, one of the most demanding fielding positions — not unlike a baseball catcher — Nithilan’s bookish and sedentary life was upended. —Arelis R. Hernández, Washington Post, 20 June 2022

Cummins was forced to rely on debutant Mitchell Swepson, who aimed at the rough but couldn’t quite conjure a wicket around the legs of Babar, who easily padded away. —Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2022

Scenario: Australia's part-time leg-spinner Steve Smith bowls a wrong 'un to England captain Joe Root, who doesn't pick the variation, edges and is caught at silly point to complete a wicket maiden just before the tea interval on Day 5. —John Pye, ajc, 25 Dec. 2021

The inability to tackle thorny challenges is America's stickiest political wicket. —David Faris, The Week, 9 Nov. 2021

Played in Dubai on Sunday night, beamed back home in the early hours of Monday, an unwavering Australia produced a tour de force eight-wicket victory over New Zealand to win the T20 World Cup for the first time in their storied cricket history. —Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 14 Nov. 2021

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Word History

Etymology

Middle English wiket, from Anglo-French, probably of Germanic origin; akin to Old Norse vīk inlet, corner

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing wicket

• sticky wicket

• sticky wicket

Kids Definition

wicket

noun

wick·​et ˈwik-ət 

1

: a small gate or door

especially : one in or near a larger one

2

: a small window (as at a ticket office) through which one does business

3

: either of the two sets of three rods topped by two crosspieces at which the ball is bowled in cricket

4

: an arch or hoop (as of wire) through which a ball is hit in croquet