noun
Common
picking
PIH-kihng
Picking (noun) means the act of harvesting or gathering something, especially fruit or crops. Example: “Apple picking is a popular autumn activity in this region.”
noun
1
The act of harvesting or gathering something, especially fruit or crops.
"Apple picking is a popular autumn activity in this region."
"The farm hires extra workers during the strawberry picking season."
"Fruit picking begins early in the morning, before the sun gets too hot."
2
Leftover scraps or bits that remain after the best parts have already been taken.
"By the time we arrived at the sale, only slim pickings were left."
"The scavengers were left with the pickings after the main crowd had gone."
"After the buffet, there were only meagre pickings left on the table."
How to use picking
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishGathering or selecting something — or, in the plural "pickings," whatever scraps are left over once the good stuff is gone.
Common pairings
fruit picking
slim pickings
rich pickings
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Word forms
- Plural
- pickings
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Apple _____ is a popular autumn activity in this region.
Related words
Rhymes for picking
licking
kicking
dicking
ticking
nicking
fricking
sticking
pricking
clicking
tricking
flicking
panicking
See all rhymes for picking →
Frequently asked questions
What does “picking” mean?
The word “picking” means the act of harvesting or gathering something, especially fruit or crops. In plain terms, gathering or selecting something — or, in the plural "pickings," whatever scraps are left over once the good stuff is gone.
How do you pronounce “picking”?
“Picking” is pronounced PIH-kihng (/ˈpɪkɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “picking” in a sentence?
Here is “picking” used in a sentence: “Apple picking is a popular autumn activity in this region.”
What is another word for “picking”?
Words with a similar meaning to “picking” include booty.
What part of speech is “picking”?
“Picking” is a noun.
Is “picking” a common word?
“Picking” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “picking” have?
“Picking” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of harvesting or gathering something, especially fruit or crops.
What is the difference between picking and harvesting?
Picking usually means gathering by hand, one item at a time and often selectively — choosing ripe fruit or berries and leaving the rest. Harvesting is the broader term for bringing in a crop, and can be done by hand or machine, all at once, across a whole field. Picking is one gentle, selective form of harvesting.
What does 'pick-your-own' mean?
Pick-your-own, sometimes shortened to PYO, is a farm arrangement where visitors go into the fields or orchards and pick fruit and vegetables themselves, then pay for what they gather. It is popular for strawberries, apples and pumpkins, offering fresher produce and a family day out, usually at a lower price than shops.
Does 'picking' have other meanings?
Yes, several. Beyond harvesting fruit, picking can mean choosing or selecting ('picking a team'), plucking the strings of a guitar, or removing something bit by bit. It also appears in phrases like 'picking a lock,' 'picking a fight' and 'picking on someone.' The harvesting sense is just one of its everyday uses.
What is an example of picking?
Fruit picking is the classic example: gathering apples from an orchard, strawberries from a field or grapes from a vineyard at harvest time. Tea picking and cotton picking work the same way. In each case, picking means collecting the ripe crop by hand, usually choosing what is ready and leaving the rest.
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