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

Examples of wicket in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The blueprint for victory in Australia looks simple on paper — score big runs, catch all your catches, take 20 wickets per match — but much harder to do in practice; particularly that last bit. —James Wallace, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2025

Hardik Pandya began with a wide ball in a dramatic first couple of overs when Pakistan lost two wickets and used the review system to prevent the loss of a third batter. —Amlan Chakraborty, Reuters, 14 Sep. 2025

Green Street’s impressive large white arches — referred to as wickets and reaching 25 feet in height — also incorporate design elements of Everything Changes with a Dream with maple-leaf patterns similar to the large sculpture. —Janice Phelan, Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2025

Another old hand, Rashid, took all three South African wickets to avoid total humiliation. —Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025

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

Rhymes for wicket

• chicot
• cricket
• picket
• picot
• thicket
• ticket

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