Illustration of pick
- pick 2c
picked; picking; picks
1
: to pierce, penetrate, or break up with a pointed instrument
picked the hard clay
2
a
: to remove bit by bit
pick meat from bones
b
: to remove covering or adhering matter from
pick the bones
3
4
5
: provoke
pick a quarrel
6
a
: to dig into : probe
picking his teeth
b
: to pluck (a stringed instrument, such as a guitar) with a pick or with the fingers
c
: to loosen or pull apart with a sharp point
pick wool
7
: to unlock with a device (such as a wire) other than the key
pick a lock
1
: to use or work with a pick
2
: to gather or harvest something by plucking
3
: pilfer
—used in the phrase picking and stealing
4
: to eat sparingly or mincingly
picking listlessly at his dinner
see also:
1
: a blow or stroke with a pointed instrument
2
3
: the portion of a crop gathered at one time
the first pick of peaches
4
: a screen in basketball
5
American football
: an intercepted forward pass : interception
… McNabb had his worst game of the year. He threw two picks, fumbled twice, got sacked seven times.—
Paul Zimmerman
Paul Zimmerman1
: a heavy, usually long-handled iron or steel tool pointed at one or both ends compare mattock
2
3
: one of the points on the forepart of the blade of a skate used in figure skating
4
: a comb with long widely spaced teeth used to give height to a hairstyle
picked; picking; picks
1
chiefly dialectal
: to throw or thrust with effort : hurl
2
: to throw (a shuttle) across the loom
1
dialectal, England
a
: the act of pitching or throwing
b
: something thrown
2
a
: a throw of the shuttle
b
: a filling thread
Examples of pick in a Sentence
Verb (1)
pick peas and beans from the garden for dinner
I pick you as my partner
he seems to be trying to pick a fight
still suffering from the shock of his wife's death, he could do no more than pick halfheartedly at his food
continued to pick the block of ice until she was able to extract the shrimp
Noun (1)
that team is my pick to win the Super Bowl
the pick of the contestants will go on to the next competition
you have first pick of your office mates for the softball team
in the days when corporal punishment was permissible, it was not uncommon for an inattentive student to get a sharp pick in the head with a blackboard pointer
Recent Examples on the Web
Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 May 2026
Shop all of our top picks below, starting at $40.
—Ali Faccenda, InStyle, 25 May 2026
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 May 2026
This denim maxi skirt closely resembles Stewart’s original pick and likely costs a fraction of the price.
—Annie Blackman, InStyle, 25 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for pick
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show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
Don’t let a little shade keep you from growing veggies; just be sure to pick the right ones.
—Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 May 2026
Shop all of our top picks below, starting at $40.
—Ali Faccenda, InStyle, 25 May 2026
Noun
Lush grounds, multiple saltwater swimming pools, a serene spa, wonderful on-property dining, and spacious guestrooms and suites make this an all-around great pick for travelers seeking a resort-style hotel that blends playful design with Western comfort and plenty of amenities.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 May 2026
This denim maxi skirt closely resembles Stewart’s original pick and likely costs a fraction of the price.
—Annie Blackman, InStyle, 25 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for pick
Cite this Entry
“Pick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pick. Accessed 26 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pick
1 of 3 verb1
: to strike, pierce, or break up with a pointed tool
2
a
: to remove matter from bit by bit by or as if by plucking
picked the bone clean
b
: to gather by plucking
pick berries
c
: to pluck with a pick or with the fingers
pick a guitar
3
a
: select entry 1, choose
pick out a dress
b
: to make (one's way) slowly and carefully
picked their way through the rubble
4
: to steal or pilfer from
pick pockets
5
: to start (a fight) with someone else deliberately
6
: to dig at or into : probe
picking his teeth
7
: to eat sparingly or in a finicky manner
picked at her dinner
8
: to unlock without a key
pick a lock
picker
noun
pick
2 of 3 noun1
: a blow or stroke with a pointed instrument
2
a
: the act or opportunity of choosing : choice
take your pick
b
: the best or choicest one or portion
took only the pick of the crop
c
: one that is picked
his pick for vice president
pick
3 of 3 noun1
: a heavy tool with a wooden handle and a blade pointed at one or both ends used especially to loosen or break up soil or rock
2
: a slender pointed instrument
ice pick
3
: a small thin piece of metal or plastic used to pluck a stringed instrument
4
: a comb with long widely spaced teeth used in grooming hair
Etymology
Verb
Middle English piken "to pierce, pick," from Old English pīcian (same meaning) and from early French piquer "to prick" — related to pike entry 3
Noun
Middle English pik "a pick for digging"
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
