First Known Use: circa 1702
Dictionary
1picket
noun pick·et \ˈpi-kət\
: a stick or post that is pointed at the end so that it can be put into the ground
: a person or group of people who are standing or marching near a place to protest something
: a protest or strike involving pickets
Full Definition of PICKET
1
: a pointed or sharpened stake, post, or pale
2
a : a detached body of soldiers serving to guard an army from surprise b : a detachment kept ready in camp for such duty c : sentry
3
: a person posted by a labor organization at a place of work affected by a strike; also : a person posted for a demonstration or protest
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Origin of PICKET
French piquet, from Middle French, from piquer to prick — more at pike
Related to PICKET
2picket
verb
: to stand or march in a public place in order to protest something or to prevent other workers from going to work during a strike
: to guard (something, such as a road or camp) with a group of soldiers
Full Definition of PICKET
transitive verb
1
: to enclose, fence, or fortify with pickets
2
a : to guard with a picket b : to post as a picket
3
: tether
4
a : to post pickets at b : to walk or stand in front of as a picket
intransitive verb
: to serve as a picket
— pick·et·er noun
See picket defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of PICKET
1745
PICKET Defined for Kids
1picket
noun pick·et \ˈpi-kət\
Definition of PICKET for Kids
1
: a pointed stake or slender post (as for making a fence)
2
: a soldier or a group of soldiers assigned to stand guard
3
: a person standing or marching near a place (as a factory or store) as part of a strike or protest
2picket
verb
pick·et·edpick·et·ing
Definition of PICKET for Kids
: to stand or march near a place as part of a strike or protest
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