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
Recent Examples on the Web
Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024
Officers found at least 0.2 grams of methamphetamine in Meade’s pocket, according to an affidavit.
—Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 7 Apr. 2024
Thankfully, this sports bag is large enough to hold a soccer ball or basketball and has a dedicated compartment for cleats, two water bottle pockets, and another interior pocket for extra storage.
—Laura Lu, Parents, 5 Apr. 2024
Smash cut to dozens of thirsty Wisconsinites heading straight to the bar, drink tickets burning a hole in our pockets.
—Rachel Bernhard, Journal Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2024
The dress also features side-seam pockets, an invisible zipper for easy on and off, and a lined bust for extra support.
—Megan Schaltegger, Travel + Leisure, 4 Apr. 2024
And while basic styling decisions may be made by the clients, such as choosing between a single-breasted or double-breasted jacket stance and specifying its pocket shape and buttons, more granular concerns such as the width of the lapels are locked in.
—Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 27 Mar. 2024
Host Terry Crews walked the red carpet in a black suit with silver accents and a green pocket square.
—Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 27 Mar. 2024
The back has a convenient drop-in pocket, and overall, these pants fit just like leggings, but have a light flare at the bottom that gives them a more relaxed fit, reminiscent of yoga pants from the 2010s.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Southern Living, 27 Mar. 2024
USA TODAY, 7 Apr. 2024
Read Next Florida Private school got over $1 million in funding — but owner pocketed it, Florida cops say
March 22, 2024 5:57 PM
Read Next
National
Meat market owner fled US over $10M food stamp fraud, feds say.
—Olivia Lloyd, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2024
One clip of him in the movie shows Costner spinning two pistols in his hands before pocketing them in his holsters.
—Tommy McArdle, Peoplemag, 3 Apr. 2024
Between 2009 and the end of 2011, prosecutors say that the men took a total of $1.83 billion from 1MDB, with Obaid personally pocketing $580 million, and Mahony, $37 million.
—Hugo Miller, Fortune Europe, 2 Apr. 2024
But while shoppers forked up more money for their necessities, plenty of supermarkets pocketed the change.
—Rocio Fabbro, Quartz, 27 Mar. 2024
Floor-to-ceiling pocketing glass doors provide seamless indoor/outdoor environs and frame picturesque canyon vistas.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 14 Mar. 2024
Trump, who owns a 50% stake in the building, pocketed about $5 million.
—Kyle Mullins, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024
Martin Scorsese has settled a lawsuit from an aspiring screenwriter who accused him of pocketing $500,000 to help develop a World War II movie — and then doing nothing.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 22 Mar. 2024
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
Noun
The way Christian sees it, money that could otherwise go into an employee’s pocket is spent on visa processing.
—Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024
Officers found at least 0.2 grams of methamphetamine in Meade’s pocket, according to an affidavit.
—Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 7 Apr. 2024
Thankfully, this sports bag is large enough to hold a soccer ball or basketball and has a dedicated compartment for cleats, two water bottle pockets, and another interior pocket for extra storage.
—Laura Lu, Parents, 5 Apr. 2024
Smash cut to dozens of thirsty Wisconsinites heading straight to the bar, drink tickets burning a hole in our pockets.
—Rachel Bernhard, Journal Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2024
The dress also features side-seam pockets, an invisible zipper for easy on and off, and a lined bust for extra support.
—Megan Schaltegger, Travel + Leisure, 4 Apr. 2024
And while basic styling decisions may be made by the clients, such as choosing between a single-breasted or double-breasted jacket stance and specifying its pocket shape and buttons, more granular concerns such as the width of the lapels are locked in.
—Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 27 Mar. 2024
Host Terry Crews walked the red carpet in a black suit with silver accents and a green pocket square.
—Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 27 Mar. 2024
The back has a convenient drop-in pocket, and overall, these pants fit just like leggings, but have a light flare at the bottom that gives them a more relaxed fit, reminiscent of yoga pants from the 2010s.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Southern Living, 27 Mar. 2024
Verb
Trump's comments come before fundraiser The posts preceded, by a few hours, a Saturday night fundraiser in which the Trump campaign expected to pocket close to $50 million from a gathering in Palm Beach at the house of hedge fund guru John Paulson.
—USA TODAY, 7 Apr. 2024
Read Next Florida Private school got over $1 million in funding — but owner pocketed it, Florida cops say
March 22, 2024 5:57 PM
Read Next
National
Meat market owner fled US over $10M food stamp fraud, feds say.
—Olivia Lloyd, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2024
One clip of him in the movie shows Costner spinning two pistols in his hands before pocketing them in his holsters.
—Tommy McArdle, Peoplemag, 3 Apr. 2024
Between 2009 and the end of 2011, prosecutors say that the men took a total of $1.83 billion from 1MDB, with Obaid personally pocketing $580 million, and Mahony, $37 million.
—Hugo Miller, Fortune Europe, 2 Apr. 2024
But while shoppers forked up more money for their necessities, plenty of supermarkets pocketed the change.
—Rocio Fabbro, Quartz, 27 Mar. 2024
Floor-to-ceiling pocketing glass doors provide seamless indoor/outdoor environs and frame picturesque canyon vistas.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 14 Mar. 2024
Trump, who owns a 50% stake in the building, pocketed about $5 million.
—Kyle Mullins, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024
Martin Scorsese has settled a lawsuit from an aspiring screenwriter who accused him of pocketing $500,000 to help develop a World War II movie — and then doing nothing.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 22 Mar. 2024
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
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 16 Apr. 2024.
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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