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noun

pecking

PEH-kihng

Pecking (noun) means the action of striking or picking repeatedly with a beak or pointed tool. Example: “The woodpecker's pecking echoed through the forest.”

noun
1
The action of striking or picking repeatedly with a beak or pointed tool.
"The woodpecker's pecking echoed through the forest."

How to use pecking

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe act of pecking — repeatedly striking with a beak or point.

Common mistake

"Pecking order" (social hierarchy) is by far the most common use of this word today, more than the literal bird action.

Common pairings
pecking order

Word forms

peckings plural

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The woodpecker's _____ echoed through the forest.

Rhymes for pecking

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Frequently asked questions

What does “pecking” mean?

The word “pecking” means the action of striking or picking repeatedly with a beak or pointed tool. In plain terms, the act of pecking — repeatedly striking with a beak or point.

How do you pronounce “pecking”?

“Pecking” is pronounced PEH-kihng (/ˈpɛkɪŋ/ in IPA).

How do you use “pecking” in a sentence?

Here is “pecking” used in a sentence: “The woodpecker's pecking echoed through the forest.”

What part of speech is “pecking”?

“Pecking” is a noun.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial