noun
Uncommon
Pickup
Pickup (noun) means a small open-backed truck used for carrying goods. Example: “He loaded the lumber into the bed of his pickup.”
noun
1
A small open-backed truck used for carrying goods.
"He loaded the lumber into the bed of his pickup."
"They drive an old red pickup around the farm."
2
The act of collecting a person or item from a particular place.
"The taxi app showed our driver was five minutes from pickup."
"School pickup is at 3:15 every afternoon."
3
An improvement or increase, especially in speed, activity, or business.
"Retailers reported a pickup in sales just before the holidays."
"There was a noticeable pickup in the car's acceleration after the tune-up."
How to use Pickup
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDepending on context: a small truck, the act of collecting someone/something, or a rise in activity or pace.
Common mistake
Written as one word ("pickup") when it's a noun (the truck, the collection); often written as two words ("pick up") when it's the verb phrase.
Common pairings
pickup truck
pickup time
a pickup in demand
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Etymology
Formed from pick and up.
Related words
Rhymes for Pickup
See all rhymes for Pickup →Frequently asked questions
What does “Pickup” mean?
The word “Pickup” means a small open-backed truck used for carrying goods. In plain terms, depending on context: a small truck, the act of collecting someone/something, or a rise in activity or pace.
How do you use “Pickup” in a sentence?
Here is “Pickup” used in a sentence: “He loaded the lumber into the bed of his pickup.”
What part of speech is “Pickup”?
“Pickup” is a noun.
Is “Pickup” a common word?
“Pickup” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Pickup” have?
“Pickup” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small open-backed truck used for carrying goods.
What is the difference between a pickup and a truck?
A pickup, or pickup truck, is a specific type of small open-backed truck used for carrying goods. "Truck" is a broader category that includes pickups as well as much larger commercial vehicles, so every pickup is a truck but not every truck is a pickup.
What does pickup mean in the context of a delivery or ride?
In this sense, pickup refers to the act of collecting a person or item from a particular place, such as a taxi pickup or a package pickup. This meaning is distinct from the vehicle sense of pickup, which names the type of truck itself.
What does 'pickup' mean when talking about business or activity?
When used this way, pickup means an improvement or increase, especially in speed, activity, or business, such as "a pickup in sales" or "a pickup in pace." This sense describes positive momentum rather than a vehicle or a collection.
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