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picking

American  
[pik-ing] / ˈpɪk ɪŋ /

noun

  1. the act of a person or thing that picks.

  2. something that is or may be picked or picked up.

  3. the amount picked.

  4. pickings,

    1. scraps or gleanings.

      the pickings of a feast.

    2. profits or gains; spoils.

Etymology

Origin of picking

before 900; Middle English; Old English picung (once) a mark made by picking; see pick 1, -ing 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He added that “attacking a national landmark fits the idea of a fame-seeking attack. Picking a symbolic target is a way to almost guarantee yourself more attention.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026

Picking a winner may be difficult, but backing the suppliers and retailers enabling the ecosystem could be the smarter way to play the smart glasses revolution.

From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026

"Picking apart and genetically editing these CNSs confirmed they're essential for developmental function," Hendelman says.

From Science Daily • Mar. 14, 2026

Picking up best pop act, Dean squealed "no way" and added: "Pop music is kind of confusing. I don't really know what it means but I think it's about togetherness and making people feel good."

From BBC • Feb. 28, 2026

Picking a curly red hair out of her sweet potato sooflay, she dropped it daintily to the floor.

From "Cold Sassy Tree" by Olive Ann Burns

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.