wicket

noun

wick·​et ˈwi-kət How to pronounce wicket (audio)
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
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.
India won the first matchup by wickets with 68 balls left, then won the second matchup by four wickets with 33 balls left. Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025 The leader of the Indian attack had Ben Duckett dropped during that explosive opening spell on the second day of this Test before returning to take the other England opener’s wicket, bowled with the help of an inside edge onto the stumps. Paul Newman, New York Times, 21 June 2025 The pitch, the strip in the center of the playing surface where the bowler faces the batter, can also be called the wicket, and a batter who is put out can be referred to as taking a wicket. Laurence Miedema, Mercury News, 11 June 2025 Death rattle – The sound of the ball missing the bat and breaking the wicket. Laurence Miedema, Mercury News, 11 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for wicket

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of wicket was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wicket.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wicket. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

wicket

noun
wick·​et ˈwik-ət How to pronounce wicket (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on wicket

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