noun
Uncommon
picket
PIH-kiht
Picket (noun) means a person or group standing outside a workplace during a strike to protest and discourage others from entering. Example: “Workers formed a picket outside the factory gates.”
noun
1
A person or group standing outside a workplace during a strike to protest and discourage others from entering.
"Workers formed a picket outside the factory gates."
"She joined the picket line at dawn."
2
A pointed wooden or metal stake driven into the ground, as in a fence.
"The garden was bordered by a white picket fence."
verb
1
To stand outside a workplace in protest, usually as part of a strike.
"The union picketed the office for a full week."
How to use picket
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA protest line outside a workplace during a strike, or a pointed stake used for a fence.
Common pairings
picket line
picket fence
go on picket
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Word forms
- Plural
- pickets
- Third person singular
- pickets
- Past tense
- picketed, picketted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Workers formed a _____ outside the factory gates.
Etymology
From French piquet, from piquer ("to pierce").
Related words
Rhymes for picket
See all rhymes for picket →Frequently asked questions
What does “picket” mean?
The word “picket” means a person or group standing outside a workplace during a strike to protest and discourage others from entering. In plain terms, a protest line outside a workplace during a strike, or a pointed stake used for a fence.
How do you pronounce “picket”?
“Picket” is pronounced PIH-kiht (/ˈpɪkɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “picket” in a sentence?
Here is “picket” used in a sentence: “Workers formed a picket outside the factory gates.”
What part of speech is “picket”?
Depending on how it is used, “picket” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “picket” come from?
The word “picket” comes from French. From French piquet, from piquer ("to pierce").
Is “picket” a common word?
“Picket” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “picket” have?
“Picket” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person or group standing outside a workplace during a strike to protest and discourage others from entering.
